scholarly journals SUFE and the internet: are healthcare information websites accessible to parents?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000782
Author(s):  
Andrea Mc Carthy ◽  
Colm Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis ◽  
Translation Services

BackgroundSlipped upper femoral epiphysis is an adolescent hip disorder requiring rapid surgical intervention. Faced with the prospect of their child undergoing surgery, many fearful parents will turn to the internet to provide information and reassurance. Previous studies have shown the orthopaedic information can be difficult to comprehend.ObjectiveAssess the readability of healthcare websites regarding slipped upper femoral epiphysis.MethodsThe term Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis was searched in Google, Bing and Yahoo. The websites were evaluated using readability software with seven specialised readability tests including the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level, the Flesch Reading Ease Score, the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, Coleman-Liau Index, Automated Readability Index and the Gunning Fog Index. The reading grade level (RGL) was also calculated.A Flesich Read Ease Score (FRES) score above 65 and an RGL of sixth grade and under was considered acceptable. Websites were also assessed for translation services.Results21 unique websites were assessed. The average FRES was 52.5±15.4. Only 3 websites scored 65 or higher (14%). There was a statistically significant difference between website scores based on affiliation, with physician websites having the overall highest mean(p=0.004).The average RGL was 8.67±1.8. Only two websites met the accepted RGL criteria (9.5%) while five websites were marked as extremely difficult to understand (23.8%). Only five websites offered translations (23.8%). There was no statistically significant difference in readability scores between websites which offered translation and those which did not.One-sample t-tests showed that both the RGL (p<0.001; CI 1.83 to 3.49) and the FRES (p<0.001, CI −19.4 to −5.4) scores were significantly different from the accepted standard.ConclusionMost websites reviewed were above the recommended RGL, making content inaccessible. Improving readability and translation services would enhance the internet’s usability as a healthcare tool for parents.

1071 SUFE and the Internet: Are Healthcare Information Websites Accessible to Parents?

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mc Carthy ◽  
C Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Healthcare Information ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Accepted Standard ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis

Abstract Background Slipped upper femoral epiphysis(SUFE) is an adolescent hip disorder requiring rapid surgical intervention. Faced with the prospect of their child undergoing surgery, many fearful parents will turn to the internet to provide information and reassurance. Previous studies have shown the orthopaedic information can be difficult to comprehend. Objective Assess the readability of healthcare websites regarding SUFE. Method The term Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis was searched in Google, Bing and Yahoo and evaluated using readability software with seven specialised readability tests. A Flesich Read Ease Score (FRES) score above 65 and a Reading Grade Level (RGL) of sixth grade and under was considered acceptable. Results 21 unique websites were assessed. The average FRES was 52.5 +/- 15.4. Only 3 websites scored 65 or higher (14%). There was a statistically significant difference between website scores based on affiliation, with physician websites having the overall highest mean(P = 0.004). The average RGL was 8.67 +/- 1.8. Only two websites met the accepted RGL criteria (9.5%) while five websites were marked as extremely difficult to understand (23.8%). Only five websites offered translations (23.8%). There was no statistically significant difference in readability scores between websites which offered translation and those which did not. One-way t-tests showed that both the RGL (p &lt; 0.001; CI: 1.83-3.49) and the FRES (P &lt; 0.001, CI: -19.4 to -5.4) scores were significantly different from the accepted standard. Conclusions Most websites reviewed were deemed inaccessible. Improving readability would enhance the internet’s usability as a healthcare tool for parents.

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.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Readability of Information on the Internet Regarding Total Ankle Replacement

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
andrea mc carthy ◽  
Robert Flavin
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Total Ankle Replacement ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Ankle Arthroplasty ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Ankle Replacement ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Post Hoc

Abstract Background:Health literacy is defined as the ability to understand basic health information with such competence as to be able to use this information to enhance health. Lower health literacy is associated with increased post-operative complications, reduced satisfaction and compliance. To ensure accessibility and comprehension by the general public, many international health organisations suggest that health literature has a reading grade level equivalent to the American sixth grade. However, previous studies show that this rarely occurs.Total ankle replacement (TAR) technology has rapidly progressed with new prosthesis showing increasingly improving outcomes. However, TAR remains a complex procedure which may be challenging to explain to the patient. Thus, many patients will turn to the internet for more information and as a ‘quasi-second opinion’. If the health education materials provided on the internet is not accessible to patients, it can leave them overwhelmed and confused. The aim of the study is to evaluate the readability of information on the internet with regards to Total Ankle ReplacementMethods: 110 websites from the two main search engines (Google and Bing) were assessed using the terms ‘total ankle replacement’ and ‘total ankle arthroplasty’. Once duplicates had been removed and exclusion criteria were applied, 36 unique websites were categorised and underwent analysis using readability software (WEB FX readability tool). The websites were assessed for readability using the Fleisch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and the Reading Grade Level (RGL). A score of greater than 65 for FRES and an RGL of six or less were considered acceptable. Differential and Inferential statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.Results:The mean FRES score was 54.95 (SD: ± 13.2); this was significantly below the recognised acceptable standard score of 65 (P<.0001). An ANOVA conducted showed significant difference between FRES scores based on categories (P=.041) with post-hoc testing showing that the difference between commercial and non-physician scores was the most significant (P=.016; CI:3.84-61.66).The mean RGL was 8.31 (SD: ± 1.95). One-way t-tests showed that these scores were significantly higher than the acceptable standard (P<.0001; CI: 1.64-2.97). ANOVA testing showed a significant difference based on category (P=.028) with post hoc testing showing significant difference between non physician and commercial scores (P=.012, CI: 0.71-9.33).Conclusion:The majority of the websites pertaining to total ankle replacement are significantly beyond the comprehension levels of the general public. This will affect the patient’s ability to discern the complexities and potential complications of total ankle arthroplasty, with serious ramifications for consent as well as post-operative rehabilitation and compliance.Level of Evidence: not applicable

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 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.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Quality and Readability of Health Information Websites Identified through India’s Major Search Engines

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Raj ◽  
V. L. Sharma ◽  
A. J. Singh ◽  
S. Goel
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Mean

Background. The available health information on websites should be reliable and accurate in order to make informed decisions by community. This study was done to assess the quality and readability of health information websites on World Wide Web in India.Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out in June 2014. The key words “Health” and “Information” were used on search engines “Google” and “Yahoo.” Out of 50 websites (25 from each search engines), after exclusion, 32 websites were evaluated. LIDA tool was used to assess the quality whereas the readability was assessed using Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and SMOG.Results. Forty percent of websites (n=13) were sponsored by government. Health On the Net Code of Conduct (HONcode) certification was present on 50% (n=16) of websites. The mean LIDA score (74.31) was average. Only 3 websites scored high on LIDA score. Only five had readability scores at recommended sixth-grade level.Conclusion. Most health information websites had average quality especially in terms of usability and reliability and were written at high readability levels. Efforts are needed to develop the health information websites which can help general population in informed decision making.

Readability and Quality Assessment of Internet-Based Patient Education Materials Regarding Diabetic Foot Ulcers (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Michael Lee ◽  
Elysia Grose ◽  
Karen Cross
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Diabetic Foot ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Foot Ulcers ◽  
Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Quality And Reliability ◽  
Online Patient Education

BACKGROUND While diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetes, little is known about the content and readability of online patient education materials for diabetic foot ulcers. The recommended reading grade level for these materials is grade 6th - 8th. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality and readability of online patient education materials on diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS A Google search was performed using four different search terms related to DFUs. Six different tools were used to assess the readability of included patient education materials. These included the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch-Reading Ease Score, Gunning-Fog Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index, Coleman-Liau Index, and Automated Readability Index. The DISCERN tool was used to assess quality and reliability RESULTS Fourty-one online patient education materials were included. The average Flesch-Reading Ease score for all patient education materials was 63.43±14.21, indicating a standard difficulty level of reading. The average reading grade level was 9.33±2.6, which is higher than the recommended reading level for patient education materials. The mean DISCERN score was 45.66±3.34 and 27% (11/41) of articles had DISCERN scores less than 39, corresponding to poor or very poor quality. CONCLUSIONS The majority of online patient education materials on diabetic foot ulcers are written above the recommended reading levels and have significant deficiencies in terms of their quality and reliability. Clinicians and patients should be aware of the shortcomings of these resources and consider the impact they may have on patients’ self-management.

Internet-Derived Information on Cleft Lip and Palate for Families with Affected Children

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Stylianos Antonarakis ◽  
Stavros Kiliaridis
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Content Quality ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Related Family ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Family Demands

Objective: To investigate the nature and readability of cleft lip and palate–related family information on the Internet. Materials and Methods: An Internet search for “cleft lip,” “cleft palate,” and “family information” was carried out using three search engines. Within each search, the first 25 relevant websites identified were downloaded and assessed for country of origin, authorship, domain, referencing, links, advertising, mention of orthodontics, illustrations, cleft-specificity, and content. Readability was determined using the Flesch Reading Ease Score, the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and the Fog Scale Level. Data were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics. Results: The initial search returned in excess of 1,800,000 hits. A total of 49 websites were evaluated, excluding repetitions, with a wide range of information available. The websites assessed were mostly of U.S. origin, with a .org domain, authored by universities/hospitals, not cleft-specific, without advertisements, contained links but not references, mentioned orthodontics even if to a small extent, contained some form of illustrations, and varied greatly in quantity and quality of information presented. A wide range of readability scores was obtained, equating to reading ages from fourth grade to university graduate level, with a mean reading age at the eighth to ninth grade level. Conclusions: Cleft lip and palate–related information for families on the Internet is variable in content, quality, and readability. Clinicians should have the responsibility to guide and help parents with website retrieval, while authors of websites should aim to keep information readable and relevant to family demands.

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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