Readability of Online Patient Educational Materials Provided by Major Gynecological Societies [16OP]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Major medical societies remain a reliable and accessible resource for online patient educational materials. While it is advised that patient educational materials remain at or below sixth grade reading level, the readability of most online educational content provided by such societies often exceeds this recommendation. Gynecological societies play an important role in providing online health information to women. However, a comprehensive review of non-obstetric patient education materials has not yet been undertaken. The purpose of this study is to determine whether patient educational materials provided by major American gynecological societies adhere to current patient readability recommendations. METHODS: Three hundred and five non-obstetric articles from the online patient education sections of six gynecological societies were reviewed. Patient readability was analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid reading scale and a corresponding grade level was assigned. RESULTS: The average grade level of reviewed patient educational material was 11.3 ±3.0. When analyzed by category, patient material about Contraception had the lowest mean grade level (7.9±4.0), while material on Surgical Treatment had the highest mean grade level (13.5±4.0). Only one of the gynecological societies presented any material that was at or below the recommended sixth grade reading level. CONCLUSION: Online patient educational material provided by major gynecological societies rarely adhere to currently readability guidelines. This may prove a significant barrier to patients achieving health literacy. While major gynecological societies excel at providing current, evidence-based material to a wider population, efforts must be placed on ensuring that the average patient can understand the message conveyed.

Format of Parent Education Material Preferred by New Mothers

“…Individuals, especially younger adults, are increasingly connected to the digital world. In a 2016 survey, Americans expressed a preference for getting their news on a screen as opposed to a paper source, with only two in 10 U.S. adults get news from printed sources (Mitchell, Gottfried, Barthel, & Shearer, 2016). This is a decrease from earlier surveys and this decrease was most dramatic among persons aged 18 to 29 years (Mitchell et al, 2016).…”

“…Eltorai, Ghanian, Adams, Born, and Daniels (2014) analyzed the reading level of accessible patient education materials on the American Association of Surgical Trauma website and found the average reading level was at a 10.9 grade level. Similarly, an analysis of educational materials for obstetrical/gynecological patients by Nwach et al (2017) found the average reading level to be at an 11.3-year grade level and that surgical related patient education materials were at a 13.5 grade level.…”

“…In a 2016 survey, Americans expressed a preference for getting their news on a screen as opposed to a paper source, with only two in 10 U.S. adults get news from printed sources (Mitchell, Gottfried, Barthel, & Shearer, 2016). This is a decrease from earlier surveys and this decrease was most dramatic among persons aged 18 to 29 years (Mitchell et al, 2016). Reliance on technology, specifically smartphones, for news and information, is most common among younger adults, non-Whites, and lower income Americans (Mitchell et al, 2016).…”

“…This is a decrease from earlier surveys and this decrease was most dramatic among persons aged 18 to 29 years (Mitchell et al, 2016). Reliance on technology, specifically smartphones, for news and information, is most common among younger adults, non-Whites, and lower income Americans (Mitchell et al, 2016). Recognizing how people prefer to access information is an important aspect of designing effective patient education materials.…”

“…These persons have grown up using computers and cell phones to access and share information. Technology generated information is a foundation of their learning experiences and they continue to rely on technology for both formal and informal learning as well as information seeking (Mitchell et al, 2016). Cohen (2016) analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey and found that among adults aged 18 to 64 years, the Internet is commonly used to access health information.…”