Readability and Quality of Online Patient Education Material on Websites of Breast Imaging Centers

A systematic assessment of online international breast density information

“…This systematic assessment of breast density websites from English-speaking countries found that information given to women varied in terms of content, readability, understandability and actionability. Similar to recent findings on breast cancer risk assessment information online and previous findings on readability and understandability of various sources of breast density information, readability was overall high meaning that it was well above the international recommended grade 6–8 reading level [ 26 , 27 , 31 , 32 ], and understandability was poor amongst a large sample of the websites [ [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , 32 ]. However, all earlier breast density studies only assessed US-based information and did not comprehensively assess (e.g.…”

“…In 2015 in the US, it was shown that health information materials designed to communicate information about breast density during the notification process scored poorly on readability and understandability, and were written beyond average reading and health literacy levels of the population [ 15 ]. Other studies that have looked at readability of online patient education materials for breast density in the US have demonstrated similar findings [ [16] , [17] , [18] ]. Furthermore, studies have also consistently shown that breast density understanding and knowledge amongst women in the US continues to be low and variable [ 19 ].…”

Patient and Radiologist Demographics Influence Perceptions of Screening Mammography Reports

“…Lower education has been associated with poorer compliance with screening mammography in multiple studies [26][27][28]. A recent review of the readability grade level of online patient education from breast imaging centers of excellence is double the nationally recommended level of 6 [29]. Furthermore, breast imaging reports typically use the terminology endorsed in the BI-RADS Atlas, but this language is not directed toward patients and includes many advanced terms [13].…”

Chronic Diseases and Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated With Online Health Information Seeking and Using Social Networking Sites: Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Survey in Japan

“…Therefore, online health information seeking plays an increasingly important role in clinical settings, and in the behavior and QOL of patients with cancer. However, many websites contain unreliable and difficult to understand cancer information [28][29][30][31]. Misinformation can negatively affect health behavior and patient-physician relationships [7,32].…”