Reading skills of dietetic interns and readability of dietetics literature.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare reading skills of dietetic interns with reading levels of internship references.


METHODS
A standardized reading test, the Nelson-Denny Reading Test, measured reading skills of entering dietetic interns over 7 years. A computerized readability program assessed the readability of references.


METHODS
Dietetic internships in university and Veterans Affairs hospitals.


METHODS
Of 194 entering interns, 178 (92%) were included and 16 (89%) were omitted.


METHODS
Nelson-Denny percentile and grade equivalent scores for vocabulary, comprehension, and total. The Fog Index identified reference reading-grade levels.


METHODS
Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Interns from the two programs did not differ significantly on Nelson-Denny Reading Test scores or in application grade point average. Percentile means and standard deviations were 54.7 +/- 23.8 for vocabulary, 51.2 +/- 25.0 for comprehension, 52.9 +/- 23.9 for total, and 41.6 +/- 24.7 for reading rate. Nearly 20% (33 of 178) of interns read significantly below expected grade level. The fog Index assigned reference grade levels from 6.98 to 21.63 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of dietetic interns have strong reading skills and read within the references' reading levels. A minority may experience difficulties reading assignments. Preinternship reading skills assessment could lead to greater success in reading professional literature.
McCabe
B J
BJ
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, College of Health Related Professions, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Koury
S D
SD
Tysinger
J W
JW
Hynak-Hankinson
M T
MT
Foley
S
S
D000328:Adult; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical; D008297:Male; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D011932:Reading; D013782:Textbooks as Topic