Evaluating the Understandability and Actionability of Online Information on Anemia in Japanese

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background The medical information about anemia prevention produced by health-care professionals is difficult to understand because of its complicated terminology. Purpose To evaluate quantitatively for the first time the clarity of existing online information about anemia prevention in Japanese. Methods On January 20, 2023, we used the keyword “anemia” to evaluate 200 websites, followed by use of the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P) and the Clear Communication Index (CCI) to evaluate understandability and actionability. The PEMAT-P and CCI were both evaluated as excellent in terms of understandability and actionability, with cutoff values of 70% or higher and 90% or higher, respectively. We also evaluated readability using jReadability and quality using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria and The Global Quality Scale (GQS). Results The PEMAT-P scores for understandability and actionability exceeded the cutoff value in 59 (29.5%) and 36 cases (18.0%), respectively, while the CCI exceeded the cutoff value in two cases (1.0%). With respect to web pages, nine (4.5%) were considered “readable” and 96 (48.0%) “neutral.” Discussion These findings suggest that websites on anemia in Japanese have poor “understandability,” “actionability,” and “readability,” and are therefore inaccessible to the general public. Translation to Health Education Practice Improving existing anemia websites using indicators such as the PEMAT-P could improve behaviors related to anemia prevention.