Readability analysis of Spanish language patient-reported outcome measures in pediatric otolaryngology
Shambavi J Rao1, Joseph C Nickel1, Eleanor P Kiell2
1Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Health, USA.
Insights
Many Spanish pediatric otolaryngology patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) exceed recommended reading levels. This impacts effective communication and care quality for Spanish-speaking families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Health Literacy
- Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
Background:
- Patient-centered care necessitates effective communication tools like PROMs.
- Literacy levels of pediatric patients and their guardians are critical for PROM utility.
- Existing Spanish-translated PROMs in pediatric otolaryngology may pose comprehension challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the readability of Spanish-translated PROMs in pediatric otolaryngology.
- To assess compliance with established readability recommendations for patient materials.
Main Methods:
- Identified pediatric otolaryngology PROMs from systematic reviews and database searches.
- Selected Spanish-language versions of PROMs, contacting authors for unpublished translations.
- Assessed eight Spanish PROMs for grammar, syntax, and ease of comprehension by a translator.
Main Results:
- Fifty percent (4 out of 8) of the Spanish PROMs exceeded the recommended sixth-grade reading level.
- Specific instruments like TAHSI, SN-5, P-VHI, and VELO showed higher readability.
- This indicates a potential barrier to understanding for Spanish-speaking pediatric patients and families.
Conclusions:
- Several Spanish pediatric otolaryngology PROMs are written above the recommended reading level.
- Readability issues may hinder accurate data collection and patient engagement.
- Revisions are needed to ensure Spanish PROMs are accessible to the target population.
Background:
Pediatric otolaryngology encompasses interactions with a young patient, parent and/or guardian, and the provider. As healthcare transitions toward patient-centered care, clinicians are using direct tools of measurement such as patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) as a modality of communication between the patient and healthcare provider. Therefore, literacy levels of both the patient and their parent or guardian must be considered. Moreover, PROMs administered in pediatric audiology and otolaryngology in Spanish were found to be above the recommended reading level. Assessing the readability of Spanish translated PROMs is vital in providing safe, accurate, and quality care. The goal of this study is to analyze the readability of PROMs in pediatric otolaryngology and assess their compliance with readability recommendations.
Methods:
Pediatric otolaryngology PROMs were identified from Powell's systematic review on pediatric otolaryngology PROMs. Spanish pediatric otolaryngology PROMs were selected from a literature search through PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and Google scholar databases (scholar.google.com). After completion of the literature search, seven PROMs were identified. Only four PROMs Spanish validations included the translation of the PROM in their publication. The authors of the remaining PROMs were contacted via email. Ultimately, eight pediatric otolaryngology PROMs were included in this study. The PROMs included were assessed by a Latin Spanish translator for grammar, syntax, and comprehension ease.
Results:
Four out of eight PROMs (50%) included in our study had readabilities above the recommended sixth-grade level. The following PROMs were noted with readabilities above the recommended level: tonsil & adenoid health status instrument (TAHSI), the nasal quality of life survey (SN-5), Spanish pediatric voice handicap index (P-VHI), and velopharyngeal insufficiency effects on life outcome (VELO).
Conclusions:
Currently, some Spanish translated pediatric PROMs are written at a reading level above the recommended range for patients and their families.
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