Quality-Based Evaluation of Patient-Facing Online Education Materials Regarding Facial Filler Procedures

Author(s):  
Adam J. Beer ◽  
Michael Eggerstedt ◽  
Matthew J. Urban ◽  
Ryan M. Smith ◽  
Peter C. Revenaugh

AbstractInjectable facial fillers have become tremendously more popular in recent years, and the Internet offers a proportional amount of consumer-facing educational material. This study sought to explore the quality of these online materials. The top 20 Web sites offering educational materials about facial filler were identified via Google search and sorted by source: Medical Professional Boards, Hospitals and Providers, Medical News and Reference, and Fashion. The materials were assessed for overall quality with the validated DISCERN instrument. The authors also assessed understandability and actionability (Patient Education Material Assessment Tool - PEMAT), accuracy, comprehensiveness, and readability (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesch Reading Ease). The mean DISCERN score was 46.9 ± 7.6, which is considered “fair” quality educational material; above “poor,” but below “good” and “excellent.” Understandability and actionability scores were low, particularly with respect to visual aids. The materials were generally accurate (76–99%), but scored poorly in comprehensiveness, as 15% failed to mention any risks/adverse effects and only 35% mentioned cost. On average, readability was at an 11th grade level, far more complex than ideal (< 6th grade level). Information disseminated from seemingly reputable sources such as professional boards and hospitals/providers were not of higher quality or superior in any of the above studied domains. In conclusion, online educational materials related to injectable facial fillers are of subpar quality, including those from academic and professional organizations. Visual aids were particularly weak. The facial rejuvenation community should make a concerted effort to set a higher standard for disseminating such information.

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. NP636-NP642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Barbarite ◽  
David Shaye ◽  
Samuel Oyer ◽  
Linda N Lee

Abstract Background In an era of widespread Internet access, patients increasingly look online for health information. Given the frequency with which cosmetic botulinum toxin injection is performed, there is a need to provide patients with high-quality information about this procedure. Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the quality of printed online education materials (POEMs) about cosmetic botulinum toxin. Methods An Internet search was performed to identify 32 websites of various authorship types. Materials were evaluated for accuracy and inclusion of key content points. Readability was measured by Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Understandability and actionability were assessed with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printed Materials. The effect of authorship was measured by undertaking analysis of variance between groups. Results The mean [standard deviation] accuracy score among all POEMs was 4.2 [0.7], which represents an accuracy of 76% to 99%. Mean comprehensiveness was 47.0% [16.4%]. Mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesch Reading Ease scores were 10.7 [2.1] and 47.9 [10.0], respectively. Mean understandability and actionability were 62.8% [18.8%] and 36.2% [26.5%], respectively. There were no significant differences between accuracy (P &gt; 0.2), comprehensiveness (P &gt; 0.5), readability (P &gt; 0.1), understandability (P &gt; 0.3), or actionability (P &gt; 0.2) by authorship. Conclusions There is wide variability in the quality of cosmetic botulinum toxin POEMs regardless of authorship type. The majority of materials are written above the recommended reading level and fail to include important content points. It is critical that providers take an active role in the evaluation and endorsement of online patient education materials.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mohammad S. Nawaz ◽  
Laura E. McDermott ◽  
Savanna Thor

Introduction. Due to the ubiquity and ease of access of Internet, patients are able to access online health information more easily than ever. The American Medical Association recommends that patient education materials be targeted at or below the 6th grade level in order to accommodate a wider audience. In this study, we evaluate the difficulty of educational materials pertaining to common GI procedures; we analyze on the readability of online education materials for colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Methods. Google search was performed using keywords of “colonoscopy,” “sigmoidoscopy,” and “EGD” with “patient information” at the end of each search term. The texts from a total of 18 studies, 6 for each of the procedures, were then saved. Each study was also subdivided into “Introduction,” “Preparation,” “Complications,” and if available, “Alternatives.” Furthermore, medical terminology that was properly explained, proper nouns, medication names, and other copyright text were removed in order to prevent inflation of the difficulty. Five validated readability tests were used to analyze each study and subsections: Coleman-Liau, New Dale-Chall, Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, SMOG. Results. Studies on colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and EGD had median readability grades of 9.7, 10.2, and 11.0, respectively. Analysis of the subsections revealed that the “Alternative” subsection was the most difficult to comprehend with a readability score of 11.4, whereas the “Introduction” subsection was the easiest to comprehend with a readability score of 9.5. Conclusion. Despite modifications to the studies that improved the readability scores, patient education materials were still significantly above the recommended 6th grade level across all websites. This study emphasizes that clear and simple language is warranted in order to create information that is suitable for most patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. 019459982096915
Author(s):  
Lena W. Chen ◽  
Vandra Chatrice Harris ◽  
Justin Lee Jia ◽  
Deborah Xingchun Xie ◽  
Ralph Patrick Tufano ◽  
...  

Objective Thyroidectomy is one of the most common procedures performed in head and neck surgery. The quality of online resources for thyroidectomy is unknown. We aim to evaluate search trends and online resource quality regarding thyroidectomy. Study Design Cross-sectional analysis. Setting Websites appearing on Google search. Methods The first 30 Google websites for thyroidectomy were reviewed, excluding research, video, and restricted sites. Search patterns were obtained with Google Trends. Quality was measured by readability (Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kinkaid Grade Level), understandability and actionability (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool), and clinical practice guideline (CPG) compatibility. Fleiss kappa interrater reliability analysis was performed for 2 raters. Results Twenty-one sites were evaluated. Search popularity for thyroidectomy has increased since 2004. Median reading ease was 42.2 (range, 15.4-62.7) on a scale from 1 to 100, with 100 indicating maximum readability. Median reading grade level was 12 (range, 7-16). Thyroidectomy resources were poorly understandable (median, 66%; range, 21%-88%) and actionable (median, 10%; range, 0%-60%). Median CPG compatibility was 4 out of 5 (range, 0-5). Interrater reliability ranged from substantial to moderate for understandability (0.78), actionability (0.57), and CPG compatibility (0.58), with P < .05 for all results. Conclusion Online resources about thyroidectomy vary in quality and reliability and are written at grade levels above the average reading level of the public. Providers should be aware of existing resources and work to create education resources that meet universal health literacy guidelines. The framework provided in this article may also serve as a guide and provide tangible steps that providers can take to help patients access care.


OTO Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473974X2110326
Author(s):  
Matthew Shneyderman ◽  
Grace E. Snow ◽  
Ruth Davis ◽  
Simon Best ◽  
Lee M. Akst

Objectives To assess readability and understandability of online materials for vocal cord leukoplakia. Study Design Review of online materials. Setting Academic medical center. Methods A Google search of “vocal cord leukoplakia” was performed, and the first 50 websites were considered for analysis. Readability was measured by the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG). Understandability and actionability were assessed by 2 independent reviewers with the PEMAT-P (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials). Unpaired t tests compared scores between sites aimed at physicians and those at patients, and a Cohen’s kappa was calculated to measure interrater reliability. Results Twenty-two websites (17 patient oriented, 5 physician oriented) met inclusion criteria. For the entire cohort, FRES, FKGL, and SMOG scores (mean ± SD) were 36.90 ± 20.65, 12.96 ± 3.28, and 15.65 ± 3.57, respectively, indicating that materials were difficult to read at a >12th-grade level. PEMAT-P understandability and actionability scores were 73.65% ± 7.05% and 13.63% ± 22.47%. Statistically, patient-oriented sites were more easily read than physician-oriented sites ( P < .02 for each of the FRES, FKGL, and SMOG comparisons); there were no differences in understandability or actionability scores between these categories of sites. Conclusion Online materials for vocal cord leukoplakia are written at a level more advanced than what is recommended for patient education materials. Awareness of the current ways that these online materials are failing our patients may lead to improved education materials in the future.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562110131
Author(s):  
Christopher V. Lavin ◽  
Evan J. Fahy ◽  
Darren B. Abbas ◽  
Michelle Griffin ◽  
Nestor M. Diaz Deleon ◽  
...  

Objective: It is important for health care education materials to be easily understood by caretakers of children requiring craniofacial surgery. This study aimed to analyze the readability of Google search results as they pertain to “Cleft Palate Surgery” and “Palatoplasty.” Additionally, the study included a search from several locations globally to identify possible geographic differences. Design: Google searches of the terms “Cleft Palate Surgery” and “Palatoplasty” were performed. Additionally, searches of only “Cleft Palate Surgery” were run from several internet protocol addresses globally. Main Outcome Measures: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Readability Ease, Gunning Fog Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) index, and Coleman-Liau Index. Results: Search results for “Cleft Palate Surgery” were easier to read and comprehend compared to search results for “Palatoplasty.” Mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level scores were 7.0 and 10.11, respectively ( P = .0018). Mean Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease scores were 61.29 and 40.71, respectively ( P = .0003). Mean Gunning Fog Index scores were 8.370 and 10.34, respectively ( P = .0458). Mean SMOG Index scores were 6.84 and 8.47, respectively ( P = .0260). Mean Coleman-Liau Index scores were 12.95 and 15.33, respectively ( P = .0281). No significant differences were found in any of the readability measures based on global location. Conclusions: Although some improvement can be made, craniofacial surgeons can be confident in the online information pertaining to cleft palate repair, regardless of where the search is performed from. The average readability of the top search results for “Cleft Palate Surgery” is around the seventh-grade reading level (US educational system) and compares favorably to other health care readability analyses.


2021 ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Dalia Alemam

Introduction: One of the contributing factors to the burden of low back pain (LBP) is the failure to provide patients with appropriate education and advice about diagnosis and management. To date, no information exists about whether the content of patients’ information and educational material provided in physiotherapy clinics in Saudi Arabia is in line with the Clinical Practice Guidelines and contemporary practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the content of educational material provided by physiotherapy clinics, hospitals, or distributed by healthcare associations to people with LBP in Saudi Arabia, to determine whether this information is adequate to reassure patients and inform self-management. This study also seeks to explore whether these materials are consistent with CPGs for people with LBP. Methodology: A sample of educational items (English or Arabic) in Saudi Arabia was collected. Content analysis was conducted to analyze data based on manifest content. Result: Seventeen educational materials were included, originating from diverse sources; the Ministry of Health hospitals (n = 10), military hospitals (n = 4), private hospitals (n = 2), and multidisciplinary healthcare association (n = 1). Six main sub-themes were identified: epidemiological/anatomical data about LBP (n = 6); causes/risk factors (n = 10); exercise (n = 14) and physical activity-related recommendations (n = 3); treatment-related recommendations (n = 2); general health and lifestyle-related recommendations (n = 8); and postural and ergonomics-related recommendations (n = 13). Ultimately, one theme was formulated, namely, the content of educational materials was hindering reassurance and self-management for people with LBP. The items reviewed were heavily influenced by the biomedical model of pain. Conclusion: The educational materials reviewed failed to properly report information about LBP from a biopsychosocial perspective and were inadequate to assure patients or inform self-management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Aizhan Ibirayim kyzy ◽  
◽  
Askerbүbү Solpubashova ◽  
Salidin Kaldybaev ◽  
◽  
...  

In the system of school education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the problem of developing electronic educational material and introducing it into the educational process of schools is becoming urgent. This goal allows the further implementation of the issue of computerization of school education. This article focuses on the quality of education. To achieve high-quality modern training, the use of electronic materials is required. Electronic materials must be designed in accordance with the rules. Therefore, the content of this article is aimed at revealing the importance of e-learning, at developing electronic materials, at characterizing the requirements for compiling electronic materials and the requirements for using electronic educational materials.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 00002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Ababkova ◽  
Veronica Leontyeva

Modern highly technological teaching widely uses neurotechnologies related to creating new educational products, expanding the content of education and establishing objective feedback with students. One of the most promising neurotechnologies in the sphere of education is the method of biological feedback (BFB) based on studying the current psychophysiological state of students and using this information for further correction of the educational process, improving its quality and efficiency. This article presents the results of the studies based on the method of biological feedback to investigate the influence of the form of presentation of the educational material on the current psychophysiological state of students. During the BFB-studies, we used the PEN method developed by Hans and Sybil Eysenck to form focus groups of students and the CMS method to process the results of the studies. The research resulted in quantitative values of parameters of the current psychophysiological state of students reflecting the degree of intensity of such properties as the general adaptive resource, the degree of mobility (instability) of psychological processes, neuroticity, psychic productivity etc. (a total of 19 parameters).The study’s results based on the biological feedback method showed that studying educational materials that are different in form influences the parameters of the current psychophysiological state of students. The indicators of reserve of control of psychological activity, regulating and adapting the psychological sphere, as well as the indicators of reserve of syndromologicaladaptiveness of the current state if students study the textual material on their own, will improve as compared to studying graphical material only. Different types of educational material can cause anxiety and increased apprehension, with textual material contributing the least to these effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandita S. Mani ◽  
Terri Ottosen ◽  
Megan Fratta ◽  
Fei Yu

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the public’s need for quality health information that is understandable. This study aimed to identify (1) the extent to which COVID-19 messaging by state public health departments is understandable, actionable, and clear; (2) whether materials produced by public health departments are easily readable; (3) relationships between material type and understandability, actionability, clarity, and reading grade level; and (4) potential strategies to improve public health messaging around COVID-19. Methods: Based on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics from June 30, 2020, we identified the ten states with the most COVID-19 cases and selected forty-two materials (i.e., webpages, infographics, and videos) related to COVID-19 prevention according to predefined eligibility criteria. We applied three validated health literacy tools (i.e., Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, CDC Clear Communication Index, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level) to assess material understandability, actionability, clarity, and readability. We also analyzed correlations between scores on the three health literacy tools and material types.Results: Overall, COVID-19 materials had high understandability and actionability but could be improved in terms of clarity and readability. Material type was significantly correlated with understandability, actionability, and clarity. Infographics and videos received higher scores on all tools.Conclusions: Based on our findings, we recommend public health entities apply a combination of these tools when developing health information materials to improve their understandability, actionability, and clarity. We also recommend using infographics and videos when possible, taking a human-centered approach to information design, and providing multiple modes and platforms for information delivery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
N. V. Komleva ◽  
D. A. Vilyavin

The purpose of the research is to develop a digital platform for creating personalized adaptive online courses that can integrate into the university’s e-learning environment. The Digital Tutor platform is designed to provide the online learning process with tools that allow for the adaptation of the content of the electronic course in accordance with the individual level of student competency through adaptive testing tools in order to achieve the level of student competency established by educational and professional standards.Materials and research methods. The research methodological base consists of methods and technologies of system analysis and knowledge management. Conclusions and provisions of the work are based on the analysis of domestic and foreign literature on the use of digital technologies in education. In preparing the article, materials obtained by the authors during the scientific and practical development of the prototype of the Digital Tutor platform were used to create personalized adaptive online courses at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.Results. The digital platform for hosting the repository of educational objects and the online courses themselves is available on the University’s information resources with the possibility of integration into the University’s electronic educational environment. The implementation of this project will allow: students and the audience to use educational content prepared on the basis of relevant educational material, as well as to participate in its creation and discussion; to develop more dynamic and high-quality training courses that contribute to the formation of the required competencies among students and the audience; significantly reduce the burden on lecturers when working with remote students, free up more time for updating the training material, the formation of practical and design tasks; implement the concept of personalization of training - the creation of educational material aimed at a particular student; provide support for the creation and updating of their own MOOC; transform the system of continuing education to the requirements and needs of the business; respond ahead of time to the needs of society for qualified personnel for the digital economy.Conclusion. A new model for the implementation of online education has been proposed and tested, which consists in the automatic construction of online courses from the educational objects of the repository in accordance with the monitoring of its activities and a personal trajectory to achieve the required learning outcomes. The concept of transformation of the model of online education is based on the creation of a modern educational based on advanced digital, intelligent technologies. Compared with existing analogues, the project has competitive advantages in the implementation of a new business model of education, based on the availability of a mechanism for automatic updating of educational content and preparing courses on the basis of a repository of educational objects that form the necessary competencies in accordance with the Federal State Educational Standard and approved professional standards.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document