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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Readability level of patient information leaflets for older people
M Cronin1, S O'Hanlon, M O'Connor
1Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
Irish Journal of Medical Science
|November 4, 2010
Summary
Patient information leaflets in Ireland are often too difficult for older adults to understand, increasing health risks. Readability levels should be lowered to ensure comprehension for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Health Literacy
- Patient Education
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Limited health literacy is linked to poorer health outcomes in older adults.
- Understanding patient information is crucial for effective healthcare management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the readability of patient information leaflets (PILs) available in Ireland.
- To determine if PILs are accessible to the intended elderly audience.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the SMOG (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook) formula to assess text complexity.
- Analyzed 45 common PILs intended for older individuals.
- Compared PIL readability to that of broadsheet newspapers.
Main Results:
- The average readability level of PILs was 12.57 years of education.
- PILs were found to be more difficult to read than broadsheet newspapers (average 12 years).
- A significant portion of patient education materials exceed an appropriate readability level.
Conclusions:
- Patient education materials require simplification to match the target audience's comprehension level.
- Addressing readability is critical for the older population, who face higher risks of health literacy challenges.
- Improving PIL readability can enhance health outcomes and reduce mortality associated with limited literacy.
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