How readable and reliable is online patient information on chronic rhinosinusitis?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
A Habeeb
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Improve Patient Compliance ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Improve Patient ◽  
Average Adult

Abstract Objective This study aimed to assess the quality and readability of websites on chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods A total of 180 results from 3 different search engines regarding ‘chronic rhinosinusitis’, ‘sinusitis’ and ‘sinus infections’ were analysed for readability using the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score and Gunning Fog Index. The Discern tool was used to approximate information quality. Results From 180 total searches, 69 unique websites were identified. These had an average Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level of 9.75 (95 per cent confidence interval = 9.12–10.4), a Flesch Reading Ease Score of 45.0 (41.0–49.0) and a Gunning Fog Index of 13.7 (12.9–14.4), which equates to the average reading level of a college or university student. Discern scores were variable but consistently showed good-quality information. Conclusion Chronic rhinosinusitis information is of a high quality but is for a reading level higher than that of the average adult. Standardising patient information should ensure adequate comprehension and improve patient compliance.

Readability of Printed Patient Information for Epileptic Patients

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 1856-1861 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R Foster ◽  
Denise H Rhoney
Keyword(s):  
Patient Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Written Information ◽  
Average Patient ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy

BACKGROUND: Written information can be a valuable tool in patient education. Studies evaluating written information for various disease states have frequently demonstrated that the majority of literature is written at a readability level that exceeds that of the average patient, and it has been recommended that written communications for adult patients should be provided at a fifth-grade level or lower. OBJECTIVE: To assess the readability of printed patient information available to patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Samples of written patient information (n = 101) were obtained from various sources. The information was classified based on source, content, and intended audience, and readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and Flesch—Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) score. RESULTS: The mean FRES and FKGL score for all samples were 50.2 and 9.4, respectively. Significant differences were observed in both the FRES and FKGL score of material obtained from different sources; however, no differences were observed when material was analyzed according to content. The mean FRES and FKGL score for materials intended for adults were 49.6 and 9.5, respectively. In comparison, mean FRES and FKGL scores for materials intended for children/adolescents were 78.9 and 5.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of information tested was written at a level that exceeds the reading ability of many patients. The information intended for children is actually written at the appropriate level for an adult. Efforts should be taken to develop written teaching tools that target low-level readers, especially for a disease state that affects many children.

scholarly journals Dupuytren's Contracture: The Readability of Online Information

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110564
Author(s):  
Shayan Hosseinzadeh ◽  
Philip Blazar ◽  
Brandon E Earp ◽  
Dafang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Patient Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Dupuytren’S Contracture ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Dupuytren's Contracture ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Grade Reading Level

Dupuytren's contracture is a common hand pathology for which consultation and treatment are largely at the patient's discretion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the readability of current online patient information regarding Dupuytren's contracture. The largest public search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) were queried using the search terms “Dupuytren's contracture,” “Dupuytren's disease,” “Viking's disease,” and “bent finger.” The first 30 unique websites by each search were analyzed and readability assessed using five established algorithms: Flesch Reading Ease, Gunning-Fog Index, Flesch–Kincaid Grade level, Coleman–Liau index, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook grade level. Analysis of 73 websites demonstrated an average Flesch Reading Ease score of 48.6 ± 8.0, which corresponds to college reading level. The readability of websites ranged from 10.5 to 13.3 reading grade level. No article was written at or below the recommended sixth grade reading level. Information on the internet on Dupuytren's contracture is written at higher than recommended reading grade level. There is a need for high-quality patient information on Dupuytren's contracture at appropriate reading grade levels for patients of various health literacy backgrounds. Hospitals, universities, and academic organizations focused on the development of readable online information should consider patients’ input and preferences.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the Readability of Educational Materials on the Consumer Webpage of a Health Professional Organization: Considerations for Practice

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naudia Falconer ◽  
E. Reicherter ◽  
Barbara Billek-Sawhney ◽  
Steven Chesbro
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Professional Organization ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Site Evaluation ◽  
American Physical

The readability level of many patient education materials is too high for patients to comprehend, placing the patient’s health at risk. Since health professionals often recommend Internet-based patient education resources, they must ensure that the readability of information provided to consumers is at an appropriate level. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the readability of educational brochures found on the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) consumer website. Methods: Fourteen educational brochures on the APTA website in March 2008 were analyzed using the following assessments: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease, Fry Readability Formula, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Checklist for Patient Education Materials, and Consumer Health Web Site Evaluation Checklist. Results: According to the Flesch-Kincaid and Flesch Reading Ease, over 90% of the brochures were written at greater than a sixth grade level. The mean reading level was grade 10.2 (range = 3.1 to 12) with a Reading Ease score between 31.5 to 79.9. Using the SMOG formula, the brochures had a mean reading level of grade 11.5 (range = 9 to 13). The Fry Readability showed that 85% of the brochures were written higher than a sixth grade level, with a mean reading level of grade 9.5 (range = 6 to 14). Conclusion: Findings suggest that most of the consumer education information available on the website of this health professional organization had readability scores that were too high for average consumers to read.

Quality, Readability, and Trends for Websites on Ankyloglossia

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (7) ◽  
pp. 439-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Leigh Aaronson ◽  
Johnathan Edward Castaño ◽  
Jeffrey P. Simons ◽  
Noel Jabbour
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Optimal Range ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Public Health Information ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Readability Formula

Objective: This study evaluates the quality and readability of websites on ankyloglossia, tongue tie, and frenulectomy. Methods: Google was queried with six search terms: tongue tie, tongue tie and breastfeeding, tongue tie and frenulectomy, ankyloglossia, ankyloglossia and breastfeeding, and ankyloglossia and frenulectomy. Website quality was assessed using the DISCERN instrument. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score, and Fry readability formula. Correlations were calculated. Search terms were analyzed for frequency using Google Trends and the NCBI database. Results: Of the maximum of 80, average DISCERN score for the websites was 65.7 (SD = 9.1, median = 65). Mean score for the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level was 11.6 (SD = 3.0, median = 10.7). Two websites (10%) were in the optimal range of 6 to 8. Google Trends shows tongue tie searches increasing in frequency, although the NCBI database showed a decreased in tongue tie articles. Conclusions: Most of the websites on ankyloglossia were of good quality; however, a majority were above the recommended reading level for public health information. Parents increasingly seek information on ankyloglossia online, while fewer investigators are publishing articles on this topic.

scholarly journals An analysis of the readability of patient information materials for common urological conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Dalziel ◽  
Michael J. Leveridge ◽  
Stephen S. Steele ◽  
Jason P. Izard
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Information Materials ◽  
Improve Health

Introduction: Health literacy has been shown to be an important determinant of outcomes in numerous disease states. In an effort to improve health literacy, the Canadian Urological Association (CUA) publishes freely accessible patient information materials (PIMs) on common urological conditions. We sought to evaluate the readability of the CUA’s PIMs.Methods: All PIMs were accessed through the CUA website. The Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and the number of educational graphics were determined for each PIM. Low FRES scores and high FKGL scores are associated with more difficult-to-read text. Average readability values were calculated for each PIM category based on the CUA-defined subject categorizes. The five pamphlets with the highest FKGL scores were revised using word substitutions for complex multisyllabic words and reanalyzed. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to identify readability differences between PIM categories and paired t-tests were used to test differences between FKGL scores beforeand after revisions.Results: Across all PIMs, FRES values were low (mean 47.5, standard deviation [SD] 7.47). This corresponded to an average FKGL of 10.5 (range 8.1‒12.0). Among PIM categories, the infertility andsexual function PIMs exhibited the highest average FKGL (mean 11.6), however, differences in scores between categories were not statistically significant (p=0.38). The average number of words persentence was also highest in the infertility and sexual function PIMs and significantly higher than other categories (mean 17.2; p=0.01). On average, there were 1.4 graphics displayed per PIM (range 0‒4), which did not vary significantly by disease state (p=0.928). Simple words substitutions improved the readability of the five most difficult-to-read PIMs by an average of 3.1 grade points (p<0.01).Conclusions: Current patient information materials published by the CUA compare favourably to those produced by other organizations, but may be difficult to read for low-literacy patients. Readability levels must be balanced against the required informational needs of patients, which may be intrinsically complex.

scholarly journals Readability of patient education materials related to radiation safety: What are the implications for patient-centred radiology care?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis T. Delaney ◽  
Tiarnán Ó. Doinn ◽  
James M. Broderick ◽  
Emma Stanley
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Radiation Safety ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Grade Reading Level

Abstract Background Increasing numbers of patients and carers rely on online resources for healthcare information. Radiation safety can be misunderstood by patients and clinicians and lead to patient anxiety. We aimed to assess the readability of online patient educational materials (PEMs) related to radiation safety. Methods A total of 84 articles pertaining to radiation safety from 14 well-known online resources were identified. PEMs were then analysed using Readability Studio Professional Edition Version 2019. Readability was assessed using eight different instruments: the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level, Raygor Estimate, SMOG, Coleman–Liau, Fry, FORCAST, Gunning Fog, and Flesch Reading Ease Score formula. The mean reading grade level (RGL) of each article was compared to the 6th and 8th grade reading level using 1-sample t-tests. Results The cumulative mean RGL for all 84 articles was 13.3 (range = 8.6–17.4), and none were written at or below the 6th or 8th grade level. The cumulative mean RGL exceeded the 6th grade reading level by an average of 7.3 levels (95% CI, 6.8–7.8; p < 0.001) and the 8th grade level by an average of 5.3 grade levels (95% CI, 4.8–5.8; p < 0.001). The mean Flesch Reading Ease Score was 39/100 (‘difficult’). Conclusion Currently available online PEMs related to radiation safety are still written at higher than recommended reading levels. Radiation safety is a topic in which the specialist training of radiologists is crucial in providing guidance to patients. Addressing the readability of online PEMs can improve radiology-patient communication and support the shift to a patient-centred model of practice.

The reliability of the Internet for patient-centred education for surgical procedures

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-203
Author(s):  
Ca Slinger ◽  
I Smillie
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Written Information ◽  
Ease Score

Background There is increasing use of the Internet by patients as an educational tool prior to a surgical procedure. However, the quality of information is highly variable, and it is imperative that as clinicians, we are aware of the information available to ensure that consent is valid and avoid unrealistic expectations. Our aim is to assess the quality of medical information available on the Internet related to common surgical procedures. Methods Analysis of the quality of patient information on 10 websites for six common surgical conditions ( n = 54 following exclusions) was assessed using the DISCERN questionnaire and, for readability, using the Flesch reading ease test. Results There was high variation in the DISCERN score from 1.34 to 4.4 (mean 2.75). Overall, poor quality of patient information is available. Consistent scoring below 55 on Flesch reading ease score suggests a reading level beyond the majority of the patient population. Conclusion The majority of patient-centred health education on the Internet is poor. Therefore, improved verbal and written information during consultation combined with local, national and international websites is important to meet patient’s expectations and avoid issues regarding consent.

scholarly journals Poor Readability of COVID-19 Vaccine Information for the General Public: A Lost Opportunity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke S Buthun ◽  
Scott Feeder ◽  
Gregory A Poland
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Adverse Event ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Average Length ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Vaccine Information

Background: All adults in the Unites States now have access to COVID-19 vaccines. During the vaccination process, Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) fact sheets are provided. Objective: To analyze the ease of reading (i.e., readability) of the EUA-approved fact sheets for the vaccines currently available in the United States, the V-Safe adverse event survey script, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website on COVID-19 vaccines. Design: We analyzed the readability of Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen EUA fact sheets, as well as the V-Safe survey script and the vaccine-related information on the CDC website. Measurements: Readability factors include the following: average length of paragraphs, sentences, and words; font size and style; use of passive voice; the Gunning-Fog index; the Flesch Reading Ease index; and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level index. Results: Only the V-Safe adverse event survey script met readability standards for adequate comprehension. The mean readability scores of the EUA fact sheets and the CDC website were as follows: Flesch Reading Ease score (mean 44.35); Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (mean 10.48); and Gunning-Fog index (mean 11.8). These scores indicate that a 10th-12th grade-level education is necessary to comprehend these documents. Conclusion: The average person in the United States would have difficulty understanding the information provided in the EUA fact sheets and CDC COVID-19 vaccine website; however, the V-Safe survey was written at an appropriate reading level. To ensure that the public fully understands information regarding COVID-19 vaccines, simplified information material should be developed.

scholarly journals A-229 Is the Multitude Proficiently Able to Elucidate the Imperative Substance and Subsequently Able to Identify the Applicable Inferential Material to Adequately Utilize Assessments: Can People Read and Understand our Reports?

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1024-1024
Author(s):  
Newsham G ◽  
Imre Z ◽  
Kibby M ◽  
Cormier H
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Readability Score ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Microsoft Word ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Professional Guidelines ◽  
Average Readers

Abstract Objective Many U.S. adults read at an eighth-grade level (Safeer, R., 2005). Thus, neuropsychological reports’ technical language might present a challenge for average readers. However, there are no professional guidelines on report readability and little formal research on the topic. Hence, the study’s objective was to investigate the average readability of psychological and neuropsychological reports from a local university clinic and to provide suggestions for improving the readability of reports. Method 73 psychological reports and 34 neuropsychological reports were analyzed using the readability feature in Microsoft Word. This feature provides two outcomes of interest: the Flesch Reading Ease score (a 100-point scale with higher numbers indicating easier readability) and the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level Score (which provides a U.S. grade-level equivalence). Documents are considered readable with a reading ease score of 60 and a grade level score of 8.0. The average and range of scores for each report type were calculated. Results In general, psychological reports were written at a 13.2 (12–14.8) grade level, with a readability score of 34.3 (24.2–41.4). Neuropsychological reports were written at a 12.6 (11.2–14.5) grade level, with a readability score of 36.3 (25.5–42.7). Conclusion(s) The reports reviewed are functionally unreadable to many in the general public, which has important implications for clinical practice. This could be addressed by altering the reading level at which reports are written, including “plain-language” inserts, or altering specific parts of reports that have the most relevance to clients (e.g. summary and recommendations) to increase comprehension. Feedback on these ideas will be garnered at the poster.

The quality, understandability, readability, and popularity of online educational materials for heart murmur

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-336
Author(s):  
Derya Arslan ◽  
Mahmut Sami Tutar ◽  
Betul Kozanhan ◽  
Zafer Bagci
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
Heart Murmur ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Global Quality ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Grade Reading Level

AbstractObjective:Murmurs are abnormal audible heart sounds produced by turbulent blood flow. Therefore, murmurs in a child may be a source of anxiety for family members. Families often use online materials to explore possible reasons for these murmurs, given the accessibility of information on the Internet. In this study, we evaluated the quality, understandability, readability, and popularity of online materials about heart murmur.Methods:An Internet search was performed for “heart murmur” using the Google search engine. The global quality score (on a scale of 1 to 5, corresponding to poor to excellent quality) and Health on the Net code were used to measure the quality of information presented. The understandability of the web pages identified was measured using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (score range from 0 to 100%, scores below 70% reflect poor performance). The readability of each web pages was assessed using four validated indices: the Flesch Reading Ease Score, the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning Frequency of Gobbledygook, and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. The ALEXA traffic tool was used to reference domains’ popularity and visibility.Results:We identified 230 English-language patient educational materials that discussed heart murmur. After exclusion, a total of 86 web pages were evaluated for this study. The average global quality score was 4.34 (SD = 0.71; range from 3 to 5) indicating that the quality of information of most websites was good. Only 14 (16.3%) websites had Health on the Net certification. The mean understandability score for all Internet-based patient educational materials was 74.6% (SD = 12.8%; range from 31.2 to 93.7%). A score suggesting these Internet-based patient educational materials were “easy to understand”. The mean readability levels of all patient educational materials were higher than the recommended sixth-grade reading level, according to all indices applied. This means that the level of readability is difficult. The average grade level for all web pages was 10.4 ± 1.65 (range from 7.53 to 14.13). The Flesch–Kincaid Grade level was 10 ± 1.81, the Gunning Frequency of Gobbledygook level was 12.1 ± 1.85, and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook level was 9.1 ± 1.38. The average Flesch Reading Ease Score was 55 ± 9.1 (range from 32.4 to 72.9).Conclusion:We demonstrated that web pages describing heart murmurs were understandable and high quality. However, the readability level of the websites was above the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Readability of written materials from online sources need to be improved. However, care must be taken to ensure that the information of web pages is of a high quality and understandable.

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