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02-05-2023 | Bariatric Surgery | 2023 SAGES Oral

Spanish-language bariatric surgery patient education materials fail to meet healthcare literacy standards of readability

Authors: George Padilla, Sabrina Awshah, Rahul S. Mhaskar, Abdul-Rahman Fadi Diab, Joseph A. Sujka, Christopher DuCoin, Salvatore Docimo

Published in: Surgical Endoscopy | Issue 8/2023

Abstract

Background

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, contributing to nearly half of the population growth over the last decade. Unfortunately, this population suffers from lower-than-average health literacy rates, leading to poorer health outcomes. Per the American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health, patient education materials (PEMs) should be written at no higher than a 6th grade reading level. Given that US Hispanic adults have the second-highest obesity prevalence, this study aims to analyze the readability of Spanish-language PEMs regarding bariatric surgery available in US-based academic and medical centers.

Methods

A total of 50 PEMs were found via the query ““cirugía de pérdida de peso” site: (edu OR.org)” on the Google search engine. Thirty-nine sources met the inclusion criteria of belonging to a US-based academic or medical center and containing information regarding the indications for bariatric surgery, descriptions of the types of bariatric surgery, what to expect before and after surgery, or the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery. The excerpts were analyzed according to three readability formulas designed specifically for the Spanish language and evaluated for their reading grade level.

Results

All 39 sources were at the college reading level per the Fry graph corrected for Spanish. Per the Spaulding formula, 37 sources were “Grade 12 + ” and two sources were “Grade 8–10.” Per the Fernandez-Huerta formula, 16 sources were at the 8th/9th grade reading level, 22 sources were at the 7th grade reading level, and one was at the 6th grade reading level.

Conclusion

The Spanish-language bariatric surgery PEMs available online from US-based academic and medical centers are generally above the recommended 6th grade reading level. Failure to meet the recommended sixth-grade reading level decreases health care literacy for Spanish-speaking patients within the United States seeking bariatric surgery.

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Title: Spanish-language bariatric surgery patient education materials fail to meet healthcare literacy standards of readability
Authors: George Padilla
Sabrina Awshah
Rahul S. Mhaskar
Abdul-Rahman Fadi Diab
Joseph A. Sujka
Christopher DuCoin
Salvatore Docimo
Publication date: 02-05-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
Published in: Surgical Endoscopy / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 0930-2794
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2218
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-023-10088-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Spanish-language bariatric surgery patient education materials fail to meet healthcare literacy standards of readability

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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