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MDA and AAEM informational brochures: can patients read them?
Gloria Galloway1, Peggy Murphy, Andrew L Chesson
1Children's Hospital, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. gallowayg@pediatrics.ohio-state.edu
Summary
Patient education brochures from leading organizations were too difficult for many patients. Readability assessments are crucial to ensure materials are understandable and suitable for diverse health literacy levels.
Area of Science:
- Health Literacy and Patient Education
- Medical Communication
- Information Design
Background:
- Effective patient education relies on materials that match patient literacy levels.
- Understanding patient comprehension is vital for adherence and health outcomes.
- Existing patient education brochures may not be accessible to the general population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the health literacy of patients participating in the study.
- To assess the readability and suitability of patient education brochures.
- To determine if educational materials align with patient comprehension abilities.
Main Methods:
- Readability was assessed using Grammatik (Fry, 1977).
- Patient literacy was measured with the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy (REALM) in Medicine test.
- Brochure suitability was evaluated using the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) measure.
Main Results:
- Average participant literacy correlated to a 7th-8th grade reading level.
- All six assessed brochures were found to be too difficult for many patients.
- Brochure readability levels ranged from 9th to 12th grade, exceeding average patient literacy.
Conclusions:
- Patient education materials should be rewritten to a 9th-grade reading level or lower for broader understanding.
- Supplemental instruction may be necessary for materials with higher readability levels.
- Regular readability and suitability assessments are essential for creating appropriate patient educational resources.