An analysis of the readability and cultural sensitivity of information on the National Cancer Institute's Web site: CancerNet.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the level of reading skills required by lay people who access patient-related cancer information through CancerNet, the Web site of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and to assess the cultural sensitivity of the information targeted to certain ethnic groups.


METHODS
Descriptive study, repeated measures.


METHODS
NCI's CancerNet Web site (http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov).


METHODS
A convenience sample of 49 documents from the CancerNet Web site was analyzed.


METHODS
The readability of each document was analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid readability formula. Using Bloch's Ethnic/Cultural Assessment Tool as a guide, a content analysis of the ethnic-related documents was performed to determine the cultural sensitivity of the information.


METHODS
Readability and cultural sensitivity of the written cancer information.


RESULTS
The overall mean reading level was 12th grade. Little variation existed in the cultural content of the information even though several ethnic groups were targeted.


CONCLUSIONS
Information on CancerNet needs to be modified to meet the information needs of people with low reading skills and to make the information more culturally sensitive for various ethnic groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Finding successful methods for educating patients and families is a primary responsibility of oncology nurses. Information can play a vital role in helping patients to engage in self-care behavior. Therefore, nurses must be knowledgeable about the readability, usefulness, and cultural-sensitivity of information on cancer Web sites so that they can guide patients to appropriate Internet resources.
Wilson
F L
FL
College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. aa3107@wayne.edu
Baker
L M
LM
Brown-Syed
C
C
Gollop
C
C
D003144:Communication Barriers; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020407:Internet; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011932:Reading; D014481:United States