Readability of printed patient information for epileptic patients.
BACKGROUND
Written information can be a valuable tool in patient education. Studies evaluating written information for various disease states have frequently demonstrated that the majority of literature is written at a readability level that exceeds that of the average patient, and it has been recommended that written communications for adult patients should be provided at a fifth-grade level or lower.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the readability of printed patient information available to patients with epilepsy.


METHODS
Samples of written patient information (n = 101) were obtained from various sources. The information was classified based on source, content, and intended audience, and readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) score.


RESULTS
The mean FRES and FKGL score for all samples were 50.2 and 9.4, respectively. Significant differences were observed in both the FRES and FKGL score of material obtained from different sources; however, no differences were observed when material was analyzed according to content. The mean FRES and FKGL score for materials intended for adults were 49.6 and 9.5, respectively. In comparison, mean FRES and FKGL scores for materials intended for children/adolescents were 78.9 and 5.3, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of information tested was written at a level that exceeds the reading ability of many patients. The information intended for children is actually written at the appropriate level for an adult. Efforts should be taken to develop written teaching tools that target low-level readers, especially for a disease state that affects many children.
Foster
David R
DR
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Rhoney
Denise H
DH
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004522:Educational Status; D004827:Epilepsy; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011932:Reading
D000927:Anticonvulsants