Abstract No. 640 Readability assessment of internet-based patient education materials related to treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

To assess the current readability levels for online Internet-based patient education materials (IPEMs) related to treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and prostate artery embolization (PAE). Using the Google search engine only we identified 40 IPEM’s pertaining to TURP and PAE that fit HON-code criteria. Readability comprehension analysis was performed using the following algorithms: Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Formula (FKGL), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and the Gunning Frequency of Gobbledygook (Gunning FOG). Only 7.5% (3/40) websites met the United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) recommendation of a 6th grade or lower comprehension levels, with FRES scores in the “fairly easy.” Comparison of TURP to PAE groups showed that TURP readability scores with respect FRES and FKGL were significantly easier to read. According to SMOG and GFOG analysis there was no difference between the two groups by grade level, which demonstrated an average at the 12th grade reading level. Subgroup analysis of IPEM type, categorized as Health Networks (12), University Hospitals (14), Clinical Practices (6), and Miscellaneous (8), found no difference in reading level across all scoring systems. Currently available IPEM’s pertaining to BPH treatment options are written at a level that is too difficult for the average American to understand. Physicians and health networks should take USDHHS recommendations into consideration when designing IPEMs to optimize accessibility of health information to improve patient compliance and outcomes.TableAverage FRES, FKGL, SMOG & GFOG of all IPEMsReadability ScaleTotal Average Score (95% Cl)TURP Average Score (95% CI)PAE Average Score (95% CI)P valueFRES52.9 (48.7−57.0)57.7 (54.5−61.4)47.7 (43.9−51.6)0.01FKGL9.7 (8.9−10.4)8.8 (7.1−10.5)10.6 (9.1−12.1)0.02SMOG12.9 (12.2−13.6)12.5 (11.4−13.7)13.3 (11.9−14.6)0.29GFOG12.9 (11.9−13.8)11.9 (10.1−13.8)13.8 (12.0−15.5)0.06 Open table in a new tab