Readability Assessment of Decision Aids for Urologic Dysfunctions

Pyun S1, Malik R1

Research Type

Clinical

Abstract Category

Quality of Life / Patient and Caregiver Experiences

Best in Category Prize: Quality of Life / Patient and Caregiver Experiences
Abstract 468
Best Conservative Management
Scientific Podium Session 31
Sunday 22nd November 2020
21:15 - 21:30
Live Room 2
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Mixed Urinary Incontinence Overactive Bladder Quality of Life (QoL)
1. University of Maryland School of Medicine
Presenter
Links

Abstract

Hypothesis / aims of study
A growing number of patients use online patient decision aids (PtDAs) due to their easy accessibility. To serve their purpose of assisting patients in shared decision making, PtDAs should meet the NIH recommendation that readability of all patient educational materials be no greater than a 6th grade reading level. However, PtDAs that are found on the Internet are not regulated and vary in their readability and quality. The aim of this study is to determine the readability and quality of online PtDAs for benign urologic conditions including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and benign prostate hyperplasia.
Study design, materials and methods
The four urologic conditions were entered into the Google search engine, and the first two pages of the search results were used for the study. Thirty-one PtDAs met the inclusion criteria of being patient-oriented and being informative about the condition and treatment options without having misleading claims about any services or products. The PtDAs were analyzed using five readability assessment tools: Coleman Liau Index (CLI), Flesch-Kincaid (FKI), Automated Readability Index (ARI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and Gunning Fog Index (GFI). An average of the five scores were taken for each PtDA to calculate the percentage of PtDAs meeting the readability requirements. In addition, the validated DISCERN instrument, a health-information specific tool assessing reliability, dependability and trustworthiness, was used to judge the overall quality of the PtDAs.
Results
The average readability score of all thirty-one PtDAs was 11.58 grade level with a standard deviation of 1.98. None met the NIH recommendation of being at or below the sixth grade level, but four were at or below the eighth grade level, the average reading level of Americans. The average DISCERN score was 46.8 with a standard deviation of 8.6, which is classed as ‘fair.’ While 39% were classed as ‘good,’ none was classed as ‘excellent.’
Interpretation of results
The result of this study indicates that on average, the PtDAs are written at five grade levels above the recommended reading levels and three grade levels above the reading level of an average American. This is particularly concerning given the elderly population possess a lower literacy level, yet a higher risk for the four urologic conditions examined in the study. In addition, the average DISCERN score was 46.8, which is classed as ‘fair’. Given that the score ranges from 16 to 75 points, with the range 64 to 75 points classed as ‘excellent,’ the PtDAs have room for improvement in terms of overall quality.
Concluding message
None of the online PtDAs met the recommended readability guidelines, and on average, they were of moderate quality. Such shortcomings limit the overall utility of the PtDAs. Continued efforts are needed to improve the readability and the quality of online PtDAs.
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Disclosures
Funding None Clinical Trial No Subjects None
13/11/2024 19:30:30