title: Readability of patient information pamphlets in urogynecology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the reading level of frequently used patient information pamphlets and documents in the field of urogynecology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urogynecology pamphlets were identified from a variety of sources. Readability was determined using 4 different accepted formulas: the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, the simple measure of gobbledygook Index, the Coleman-Liau Index, and the Gunning Fog index. The scores were calculated using an online calculator (http://www.readability-score.com). Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. The average of the 4 scores was calculated for each pamphlet. Subsequently, Z-scores were used to standardize the averages between the reading scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 40 documents reviewed, only a single pamphlet met the National Institutes of Health-recommended reading level. This document was developed by the American Urological Association and was specifically designated as a "Low-Literacy Brochure." The remainder of the patient education pamphlets, from both industry-sponsored and academic-sponsored sources, consistently rated above the recommended reading level for maximum comprehension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of patient education pamphlets, from both industry-sponsored and academic-sponsored sources, are above the reading level recommended by the National Institutes of Health for maximum patient comprehension. Future work should be done to improve the educational resources available to patients by simplifying the verbiage in these documents.
authors: From the *Department of Urogynecology, Hartford Hospital, †Research Administration, Hartford, ‡Department of Urogynecology, Hartford Hospital, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT.
authors: Krista M L
authors: KM
authors: Reagan
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: O'Sullivan
authors: David P
authors: DP
authors: Harvey
authors: Christine A
authors: CA
authors: Lasala
mesh_terms: D032882:Comprehension; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.) / Q000592:standards; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education*