Readability and content of patient information leaflets for endoscopic procedures

Area of Science:

• Medical Communication
• Patient Education
• Health Literacy

Background:

• Effective informed consent relies on clear communication between healthcare providers and patients.
• Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) are crucial tools for patient education but can be challenging to read.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the readability and content of PILs used in Irish public hospitals for endoscopic procedures.
• To identify potential deficiencies in patient understanding of medical information.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of PILs from gastrointestinal and respiratory departments in 24 Irish public hospitals.
• Readability assessment using Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level scores.
• Evaluation of content, including information on potential complications and risks.

Main Results:

• 61 PILs were analyzed; 62% met a minimum readability standard, but only 3% were easily understandable for a 10-11 year old.
• 57% of PILs were comprehensible to a 13-14 year old, indicating a significant readability gap.
• Information on serious complications, including death, was inadequately disclosed in most leaflets.

Conclusions:

• Current Irish PILs for endoscopic procedures present significant readability and content issues.
• A standardized approach to PIL development with minimum readability standards and uniform risk disclosure is recommended.
• These findings likely extend beyond endoscopy to other common elective procedures.