title: Readability and content of postoperative tonsillectomy instructions given to patients in Scotland.
abstract: All NHS hospitals in Scotland where tonsillectomies were being performed routinely were contacted. Thirty-two wards were identified. A copy of each ward's postoperative tonsillectomy discharge information sheet was obtained, if available. Twenty-six information sheets were obtained. Of these, 13 were for adults, 11 for children and 2 for both adults and children. The information sheets were assessed for readability using two readability formulae. Content was also assessed. The average reading grade/age required to understand these information sheets was above those recommended by patient-education experts. Postoperative safety instructions were similar and overall of a good standard, but variations did arise in what information was included. None of the units had adopted the British Association of Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons (BAO-HNS) tonsillectomy postoperative advice sheet. This advice sheet is evidence based and meets recommended readability criteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Scotland. wacxh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D032882:Comprehension; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D010174:Pamphlets; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000193:education*; D012606:Scotland; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014068:Tonsillectomy