Abstract
This article employed a content analysis method utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Clear Communication Index to evaluate the quality and reliability of 15 patient organization websites designed for patients to access information about COVID-19. The objective of this content analysis was to assess the clarity of online communication of information on COVID-19 by patient organizations by determining how well the websites score for clarity and identify ways to improve the websites. This study suggests that the patient organization websites that were analyzed are not adequately designed to communicate relevant information about COVID-19 in meaningful and effective ways. The findings from this study will help reveal major deficits in the communication of COVID-19 health information on patient organization websites, identify best practices and improvements that can be made to enhance communication, and build on existing literature regarding e-health literacy and clear communication on public health websites.
Highlights
Accessing relevant public health information online can be challenging, for those with health literacy deficits
This study suggests that generally the patient organization websites that were analyzed are not adequately designed to communicate information about COVID-19 in meaningful and effective ways
The websites did not facilitate straightforward navigation to COVID-19 related content and did not successfully provide consistently clear health information, making it challenging for consumers to use these resources
Summary
Accessing relevant public health information online can be challenging, for those with health literacy deficits. Though efforts have been made by major health reference websites like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide information to vulnerable groups, most of the information being distributed via mass channels is not likely to provide specific guidance to those living with chronic illness and conditions This has likely led many patients to turn to their patient advocacy organization website for information and guidance relevant to their illness throughout the pandemic. Though patients with chronic illness or other specialized disease and disorders may interface with health information more often, this does not necessarily translate to higher levels of health literacy or indicate that they are better equipped to navigate these websites These websites do provide information about and related to specific diseases, but that does not guarantee that individuals on the other side of the screen are comprehending what they are reading. This study appears to be the first comparative content analysis study to analyze patient advocacy organization websites using the CDC’s wellestablished CCI
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