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01-09-2015

Patient education for carpal tunnel syndrome: analysis of readability

Authors: Kyle R. Eberlin, Christina R. Vargas, Danielle J. Chuang, Bernard T. Lee

Published in: HAND | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

Background

The National Institutes of Health and American Medical Association recommend a sixth grade reading level for patient-directed content. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the readability of the most commonly used resources for surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods

A web search for “carpal tunnel surgery” was performed using an Internet search engine, and the 13 most popular sites were identified. Relevant, patient-directed articles immediately accessible from the main site were downloaded and formatted into plain text. A total of 102 articles were assessed for readability using ten established analyses: first overall, then by website for comparison.

Results

Patient information about carpal tunnel surgery had an overall average reading level of 13.1. Secondary analysis by website revealed a range of mean readability from 10.8 (high school sophomore level) to 15.3 (university junior level). All sites exceeded the recommended sixth grade reading level.

Conclusions

Online patient resources for carpal tunnel surgery uniformly exceed the recommended reading level. These are too difficult to be understood by a large portion of American adults. A better understanding of readability may be useful in tailoring more appropriate resources for average patient literacy.

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Title: Patient education for carpal tunnel syndrome: analysis of readability
Authors: Kyle R. Eberlin
Christina R. Vargas
Danielle J. Chuang
Bernard T. Lee
Publication date: 01-09-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: HAND / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1558-9447
Electronic ISSN: 1558-9455
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-014-9718-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Patient education for carpal tunnel syndrome: analysis of readability

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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