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An Appraisal of Printed Online Education Materials on Spasmodic Dysphonia
Mohamedkazim M Alwani1, Khaled A Campa2, Thomas J Svenstrup2
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Indianapolis, Indiana; Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Objective:
The use of the Internet for seeking health-related information has increased exponentially. We aimed to comprehensively appraise the readability, understandability, actionability, and quality of printed online education materials (POEMs) pertaining to Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD).
Study Design:
Descriptive, correlational study.
Methods:
POEMs were identified using the Google search engine with the phrase "spasmodic dysphonia." The first 50 websites meeting criteria were included. Accreditation of POEMs was evaluated using Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode) toolbar. Readability of the content was analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) tests. Understandability and actionability was evaluated using the Patient Education Material Assessment Tool for Printed Materials. Overall quality of POEMs was appraised using the DISCERN instrument.
Results:
The overall mean [SD] FKGL and mean [SD] FRE score was 11.5 [2.5] and 42.1 [12.8], respectively. The mean understandability score was 65% [14], while the mean [SD] actionability score was only 17% [12]. The overall mean [SD] quality score for all websites was 43.5 [13]. Only four websites (8%) were HONcode certified. A moderately positive correlation was discovered between understandability and overall quality of POEMs (r = 0.38, P 0.01) CONCLUSIONS: POEMs pertaining to SD are written above recommended reading levels with subsequent poor understandability and actionability. We recommend that authors assess POEMs prior to publication to ensure alignment with the needs of the target audience.