Is the Readability of Spine-Related Patient Education Material Improving?: An Assessment of Subspecialty Websites.
METHODS
Analysis of spine-related patient education materials (PEMs) from subspecialty websites.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the readability of spine-related PEMs and compare to readability data from 2008.


BACKGROUND
Many spine patients use the Internet for health information. Several agencies recommend that the readability of online PEMs should be no greater than a sixth-grade reading level, as health literacy predicts health-related quality of life outcomes. This study evaluated whether the North American Spine Society (NASS), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) online PEMs meet recommended readability guidelines for medical information.


METHODS
All publicly accessible spine-related entries within the patient education section of the NASS, AANS, and AAOS websites were analyzed for grade level readability using the Flesch-Kincaid formula. Readability scores were also compared with a similar 2008 analysis. Comparative statistics were performed.


RESULTS
A total of 125 entries from the subspecialty websites were analyzed. The average (SD) readability of the online articles was grade level 10.7 (2.3). Of the articles, 117 (93.6%) had a readability score above the sixth-grade level. The readability of the articles exceeded the maximum recommended level by an average of 4.7 grade levels (95% CI, 4.292-5.103; P < 0.001). Compared with 2008, the three societies published more spine-related patient education articles (61 vs. 125, P = 0.045) and the average readability level improved from 11.5 to 10.7 (P = 0.018). Of three examined societies, only one showed significant improvement over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the spine-related PEMs on the NASS, AAOS, and AANS websites have readability levels that may make comprehension difficult for a substantial portion of the patient population. Although some progress has been made in the readability of PEMs over the past 7 years, additional improvement is necessary.


METHODS
2.
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI.
Adam E M
AEM
Eltorai
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI.
Morgan
M
Cheatham
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI.
Syed S
SS
Naqvi
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI.
Siddharth
S
Marthi
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI.
Victor
V
Dang
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI.|Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Mark A
MA
Palumbo
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI.|Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Alan H
AH
Daniels
D057220:Health Literacy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011932:Reading; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*