A critical readability and quality analysis of internet-based patient information on neck dissections  

作　　者：Elysia M.Grose Hyun Joo Kim Justine Philteos Marc Levin Jong Wook Lee Eric A.Monteiro 

机构地区：[1]Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,University of Toronto,6 Queen's Park Crescent West,Toronto,M5S 3H2,ON,Canada [2]Temerty Faculty of Medicine,University of Toronto,1 King's College Circle,Toronto,M5S 1A8,ON,Canada [3]Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,Sinai Health System,600 University Avenue,Toronto,M5G 1×5,ON,Canada

出　　处：《World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery》2023年第1期59-65,共7页世界耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志（英文）

摘　　要：Objective:Patients are increasingly turning to the Internet as a source of healthcare information.Given that neck dissection is a common procedure within the field of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,the aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and readability of online patient education materials on neck dissection.Methods:A Google search was performed using the term"neck dissection."The first 10 pages of a Google search using the term"neck dissection"were analyzed.The DISCERN instrument was used to assess quality of information.Readability was calculated using the Flesch-Reading Ease,Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level,Gunning-Fog Index,Coleman-Liau Index,and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index.Results:Thirty-one online patient education materials were included.Fifty-five percent(n=17)of results originated from academic institutions or hospitals.The mean Flesch-Reading Ease score was 61.2±11.9.Fifty-two percent(n=16)of patient education materials had Flesch-Reading Ease scores above the recommended score of 65.The average reading grade level was 10.5±2.1.The average total DISCERN score was 43.6±10.1.Only 26%of patient education materials(PEMs)had DISCERN scores corresponding to a"good quality"rating.There was a significant positive correlation between DISCERN scores and both Flesch-Reading Ease scores and average reading grade level.Conclusions:The majority of patient education materials were written above the recommended sixth-grade reading level and the quality of online information pertaining to neck dissections was found to be suboptimal.This research highlights the need for patient education materials regarding neck dissection that are high quality and easily understandable by patients.

关 键 词：Health literacy Neck dissection Online patient education materials QUALITY READABILITY 

分 类 号：R762[医药卫生—耳鼻咽喉科]