scholarly journals P126 An analysis of the quality and readability of online information for osteoarthritis

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran Murray ◽  
Timothy Murray ◽  
Candice Low ◽  
Anna O'Rourke ◽  
Douglas J Veale
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
English Language ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
12Th Grade ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Ease Score

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability in people over 65 years old. The readability of of online osteoarthritis information has never been assessed. A 2003 study found the quality of online osteoarthritis information to be poor. This study reviews the quality of online information regarding osteoarthritis in 2018 using three validated scoring systems. Readability is reviewed for the first time, again using three validated tools. Methods The term osteoarthritis was searched across the three most popular English language search engines. The first 25 pages from each search engine were analysed. Duplicate pages, websites featuring paid advertisements, inaccessible pages (behind a pay wall, not available for geographical reasons) and non-text pages were excluded. Readability was measured using Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Gunning-Fog Index (GFI). Website quality was scored using the the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and DISCERN criteria. Presence or absence of HONcode certification, age of content, content producer and author characteristics were noted. Results 37 unique websites were suitable for analysis. Readability varied by assessment tool from 8th to 12th grade level. This compares with the recommended 7- 8th grade level. One (2.7%) website met all four JAMA Criteria. Mean DISCERN quality of information for OA websites was “fair”, comparing favourably with the “poor” grading of a 2003 study. HONCode endorsed websites (43.2%) were of a statistically significantly higher quality. Conclusion Quality of online health information for OA is “fair”. 2.7% of websites met JAMA benchmark criteria for quality. Readability was equal to or more difficult than recommendations. HONcode certification was indicative of higher quality, but not readability. Disclosures K. Murray None. T. Murray None. C. Low None. A. O'Rourke None. D.J. Veale None.

scholarly journals Readability and Quality of Online Information on Osteoarthritis: An Objective Analysis With Historic Comparison (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran Edward Murray ◽  
Timothy Eanna Murray ◽  
Anna Caroline O'Rourke ◽  
Candice Low ◽  
Douglas James Veale
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
English Language ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
12Th Grade ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Ease Score

BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of disability in people older than 65 years. Readability of online OA information has never been assessed. A 2003 study found the quality of online OA information to be poor. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to review the readability and quality of current online information regarding OA. METHODS The term osteoarthritis was searched across the three most popular English language search engines. The first 25 pages from each search engine were analyzed. Duplicate pages, websites featuring paid advertisements, inaccessible pages (behind a pay wall, not available for geographical reasons), and nontext pages were excluded. Readability was measured using Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Gunning-Fog Index. Website quality was scored using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and the DISCERN criteria. Presence or absence of the Health On the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode) certification, age of content, content producer, and author characteristics were noted. RESULTS A total of 37 unique websites were found suitable for analysis. Readability varied by assessment tool from 8th to 12th grade level. This compares with the recommended 7th to 8th grade level. Of the 37, 1 (2.7%) website met all 4 JAMA criteria. Mean DISCERN quality of information for OA websites was “fair,” compared with the “poor” grading of a 2003 study. HONcode-endorsed websites (43%, 16/37) were of a statistically significant higher quality. CONCLUSIONS Readability of online health information for OA was either equal to or more difficult than the recommended level.

scholarly journals Readability and Quality of Online Information on Osteoarthritis: An Objective Analysis With Historic Comparison

10.2196/12855 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e12855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran Edward Murray ◽  
Timothy Eanna Murray ◽  
Anna Caroline O'Rourke ◽  
Candice Low ◽  
Douglas James Veale
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
English Language ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
12Th Grade ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Ease Score

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of disability in people older than 65 years. Readability of online OA information has never been assessed. A 2003 study found the quality of online OA information to be poor. Objective The aim of this study was to review the readability and quality of current online information regarding OA. Methods The term osteoarthritis was searched across the three most popular English language search engines. The first 25 pages from each search engine were analyzed. Duplicate pages, websites featuring paid advertisements, inaccessible pages (behind a pay wall, not available for geographical reasons), and nontext pages were excluded. Readability was measured using Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Gunning-Fog Index. Website quality was scored using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and the DISCERN criteria. Presence or absence of the Health On the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode) certification, age of content, content producer, and author characteristics were noted. Results A total of 37 unique websites were found suitable for analysis. Readability varied by assessment tool from 8th to 12th grade level. This compares with the recommended 7th to 8th grade level. Of the 37, 1 (2.7%) website met all 4 JAMA criteria. Mean DISCERN quality of information for OA websites was “fair,” compared with the “poor” grading of a 2003 study. HONcode-endorsed websites (43%, 16/37) were of a statistically significant higher quality. Conclusions Readability of online health information for OA was either equal to or more difficult than the recommended level.

scholarly journals An objective analysis of quality and readability of online information on COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. Wrigley Kelly ◽  
K. E. Murray ◽  
C. McCarthy ◽  
D. B. O’Shea
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
English Language ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
12Th Grade ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHigh quality, readable health information is vital to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and readability of online COVID-19 information using 6 validated tools. This is a cross-sectional study. “COVID-19” was searched across the three most popular English language search engines. Quality was evaluated using the DISCERN score, Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria and Health On the Net Foundation Code of Conduct. Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Gunning-Fog Index. 41 websites were suitable for analysis. 9.8% fulfilled all JAMA criteria. Only one website was HONCode certified. Mean DISCERN score was 47.8/80 (“fair”). This was highest in websites published by a professional society/medical journal/healthcare provider. Readability varied from an 8th to 12th grade level. The overall quality of online COVID-19 information was “fair”. Much of this information was above the recommended 5th to 6th grade level, impeding access for many.

Quality of Internet information related to the Mediterranean diet

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 885-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reiko Hirasawa ◽  
Kazumi Saito ◽  
Yoko Yachi ◽  
Yoko Ibe ◽  
Satoru Kodama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
English Language ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the quality of Internet information on the Mediterranean diet and to determine the relationship between the quality of information and the website source.DesignWebsite sources were categorized as institutional, pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical commercial, charitable, support and alternative medicine. Content quality was evaluated using the DISCERN rating instrument, the Health On the Net Foundation's (HON) code principles, andJournal of the American Medical Association(JAMA) benchmarks. Readability was graded by the Flesch Reading Ease score and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level score.SettingThe phrase ‘Mediterranean diet’ was entered as a search term into the six most commonly used English-language search engines.SubjectsThe first thirty websites forthcoming by each engine were examined.ResultsOf the 180 websites identified, thirty-two met our inclusion criteria. Distribution of the website sources was: institutional,n8 (25 %); non-pharmaceutical commercial,n12 (38 %); and support,n12 (38 %). As evaluated by the DISCERN, thirty-one of the thirty-two websites were rated as fair to very poor. Non-pharmaceutical commercial sites scored significantly lower than institutional and support sites (P= 0·002). The mean Flesch Reading Ease score and mean Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level were 55·9 (fairly difficult) and 7·2, respectively. The Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level score determines the difficulty of material by measuring the length of words and sentences and converting the results into a grade level ranging from 0 to 12 (US grade level).ConclusionsDue to the poor quality of website information on the Mediterranean diet, patients or consumers who are interested in the Mediterranean diet should get advice from physicians or dietitians.

DOZ047.115: Quality and readability of esophageal atresia information on the Internet

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B R O’Connor ◽  
E Doherty ◽  
F Friedmacher ◽  
L Vernon ◽  
T S Paran
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Atresia ◽  
Oesophageal Atresia ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Google Search

Abstract Introduction Increasingly in pediatric surgical practice, patients, their parents, and surgeons alike use the Internet as an easily and quickly accessible source of information about conditions and their treatment. The quality and reliability of this information may often be unregulated. We aim to objectively assess the online information available relating to esophageal atresia and its management. Methods We performed searches for ‘oesophageal atresia’ and ‘esophageal atresia’ using the Google, Yahoo, and Bing engines to encompass both European and American spellings. We assessed the first 20 results of each search and excluded duplicates or unrelated pages. The DISCERN score and the Health on the Net Foundation Code (HONcode) toolbar were utilized to assess the quality of information on each website. We evaluated readability with the Flesch reading ease (FRE) and the Flesch–Kincaid grade (FKG). Results Of the original 120 hits, 61 were excluded (51 duplicates, 10 unrelated). Out of 59 individual sites reviewed, only 13 sites were HONcode approved. The mean overall DISCERN score was 52.55 (range: 22–78). The mean DISCERN score for the search term ‘oesphageal atresia’ was 57 (range: 22–78) in comparison to 59.03 for ‘esophageal atresia’ (range: 27–78). Google search had the lowest overall mean DISCERN score at 54.83 (range: 35–78), followed by Yahoo at 58.03 (range: 22–78), and Bing with the highest overall mean score of 61.2 (range: 27–78). The majority of websites were graded excellent (≥63) or good (51–62), 43% and 27%, respectively; 20% were scored as fair (39–50), with 10% being either poor (27–38) or very poor (≤26). In terms of readability, the overall Flesch Reading Ease score was 33.02, and the overall Flesch–Kincaid grade level was 10.3. Conclusions The quality of freely available online information relating to esophageal atresia is generally good but may not be accessible to everyone due to being relatively difficult to read. We should direct parents towards comprehensive, high-quality, and easily readable information sources should they wish to supplement their knowledge about esophageal atresia and its management.

scholarly journals Quality Assessment of Online Patient Information for Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. NP636-NP642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Barbarite ◽  
David Shaye ◽  
Samuel Oyer ◽  
Linda N Lee
Keyword(s):  
Botulinum Toxin ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Botulinum Toxin Injection ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Accuracy Score ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease

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 > 0.2), comprehensiveness (P > 0.5), readability (P > 0.1), understandability (P > 0.3), or actionability (P > 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.

Critical Quality and Readability Analysis of Online Patient Education Materials on Parotidectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study

2022 ◽  
pp. 000348942110666
Author(s):  
Elysia Miriam Grose ◽  
Emily YiQin Cheng ◽  
Marc Levin ◽  
Justine Philteos ◽  
Jong Wook Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Google Search ◽  
Online Patient Education

Purpose: Complications related to parotidectomy can cause significant morbidity, and thus, the decision to pursue this surgery needs to be well-informed. Given that information available online plays a critical role in patient education, this study aimed to evaluate the readability and quality of online patient education materials (PEMs) regarding parotidectomy. Methods: A Google search was performed using the term “parotidectomy” and the first 10 pages of the search were analyzed. Quality and reliability of the online information was assessed using the DISCERN instrument. Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch-Reading Ease Score (FRE) were used to evaluate readability. Results: Thirty-five PEMs met the inclusion criteria. The average FRE score was 59.3 and 16 (46%) of the online PEMs had FRE scores below 60 indicating that they were fairly difficult to very difficult to read. The average grade level of the PEMs was above the eighth grade when evaluated with the FKGL. The average DISCERN score was 41.7, which is indicative of fair quality. There were no significant differences between PEMs originating from medical institutions and PEMs originating from other sources in terms of quality or readability. Conclusion: Online PEMs on parotidectomy may not be comprehensible to the average individual. This study highlights the need for the development of more appropriate PEMs to inform patients about parotidectomy.

The Quality, Content, Accuracy and Readability of Information about Sickle Cell Anemia on the Internet

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4462-4462
Author(s):  
Vicky R. Breakey ◽  
Lauren Harris ◽  
G Omar Davis ◽  
Arnav Agarwal ◽  
Carley Ouellette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Internet Health Information ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Website Content

Abstract Objective: A comprehensive website review was conducted to assess the quality, content and readability of online information for teens with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Methods. Key words relevant to SCA were searched across the five most commonly used search engine domains. Websites that contained information about the diagnosis and management of SCA were reviewed. Quality of the information was appraised using the validated DISCERN tool. Two physicians rated website content completeness and accuracy independently. Readability of the sites was documented using SMOG scores and the Flesch Reading ease scoring system. Results. Search results yielded more than 600 sites of which 25 websites met the criteria for DISCERN quality review. The majority of sites targeted parents and only 5/25 (20%) were specific to teens with SCA. The overall quality of the website information was "fair", with the average DISCERN quality rating score being 50.1 (± 9.3, range 31.0-67.5). Only 12/25(48%)of the websites had DISCERN scores above 50 (mean 57.37 + 4.93, range 52.17-67.50). The average completeness score of the sites was 20 out of 29 (±5; range 12-27) and accuracy was consistently rated 4/4, indicating high accuracy with moderate completeness. The average SMOG score was 12.44 (±2.01; range 10.21-16.08), and the mean Flesch Reading Ease score was 46.45 (±13.22; range 17.50-66.10) indicating that the material was written well above the acceptable level for patient education materials. Conclusion. Given the paucity of high quality Internet health information at an appropriate reading level for teens with SCA, there is a critical need for the development of Internet programs to meet their unique self-management needs. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with the Quality of Online Information about Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament Insufficiency

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. 094-099
Author(s):  
Daniel Bakker ◽  
Janna S. E. Ottenhoff ◽  
David Ring
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Interosseous Ligament ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Ibm Watson

Abstract Background The Internet is increasingly used by patients to seek health information about their medical conditions. The online information is of variable quality, often difficult to read, and sometimes inaccurate or misleading. This study assessed factors associated with the quality, readability, and dominant tones of online information about scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) insufficiency. Materials and Methods Using the three most used search engines, we entered the terms “wrist sprain,” “scapholunate ligament injury,” and “SL dissociation” and assessed the quality of the 45 Web sites identified using the DISCERN tool, readability by the Flesch Reading Ease Score, the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning Fog Index, and the Simple Measure Of Gobbledygook, and dominant tones using the IBM Watson Tone Analyzer and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count. Results Online information about SLIL injuries had a mean DISCERN score of 39 ± 8.2. A dominant Web site tone of “sadness” correlated with lower DISCERN scores. A dominant tentative tone in text was associated with easier to comprehend texts. Conclusion The online information regarding SLIL insufficiency is of generally low quality, limited readability, and the underlying tones may be misleading. Professional societies might consider efforts to provide appealing, readable, information about SLIL insufficiency and other less common diagnoses on the Internet.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Quality and Readability of Internet Information Sources regarding the Treatment of Swallowing Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley P. O'Connell Ferster ◽  
Amanda Hu
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Swallowing Disorders ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Google Search

The Internet has become a popular resource for patient education. The information it provides, however, is rarely peer-reviewed, and its quality may be a concern. Since the average American reads at an 8th grade level, the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health have recommended that health information be written at a 4th to 6th grade level. We performed a study to assess the quality and readability of online information regarding the treatment of swallowing disorders. A Google search for “swallowing treatment” was conducted. We studied the first 50 websites that appeared on the search engines results with the use of the DISCERN quality index tool, the Flesch Ease of Reading Score (FRES), and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) readability test. DISCERN is a validated 16-item questionnaire used to assess the quality of written health information; FRES and FKGL are used to assess readability. We classified the websites as either patient-targeted or professional-targeted sites, as well as either major or minor. The overall DISCERN score was 1.61 ± 0.61 (range: 1 to 5), the overall FRES was 39.1 ± 19.0 (range: 1 to 100), and the overall FKGL was 11.8 ± 3.4 (range: 3 to 12). As would be expected, patient-targeted websites had significantly higher FRES and significantly lower FKGL scores than did the professional-targeted websites (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively); there was no significant difference between the two in DISCERN scores. The major websites had significantly higher DISCERN scores than did the minor sites (p = 0.002); there were no significant differences in FRES and FKGL scores. We conclude that online information sources regarding the treatment of swallowing disorders were of sub optimal quality in that information was written at a level too difficult for the average American to easily understand. Also, the patient-targeted websites were written at a lower reading level, and the major websites contained a higher quality of information.

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