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Online Readability Analysis: Mohs Micrographic Surgery Postsurgical Wound Care
Travis S Dowdle1, Jeannie M Nguyen, Jesse N Steadman
1Travis S. Dowdle, BS, is Medical Student, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, United States. Jeannie M. Nguyen, MD, is Dermatology Resident, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Jesse N. Steadman, BS, is Medical Student, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City. At the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Heather Layher, DO, is Mohs Fellow; Ashley L. E. Sturgeon, MD, is Mohs Fellow and Professor; and Russell Akin, MD, is Mohs Fellow and Professor.
Objective:
Although various treatment modalities exist for skin cancer care, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is one of the most effective and cosmetically sensitive surgical techniques. The readability of online informational materials specifically related to MMS postsurgical wound care is extremely relevant for patients given the high rates of skin cancer in the US and the number of patients utilizing the internet for information.
Methods:
Investigators conducted Google searches to evaluate the current state of readability on MMS postsurgical wound care using the specific keywords "healing after Mohs surgery" and "wound care Mohs surgery." The readabilities of individual websites were analyzed using the WebFX online software. Health-specific click-through rate was used to select the number of samples assessed.
Results:
Based on the 33 unique websites evaluated, the aggregate readability of online MMS postsurgical wound care materials was 11.3, corresponding to an 11th-grade reading level by US standards.
Conclusions:
Although this level of readability is an improvement in online MMS postsurgical wound care information relative to prior literature, there is still considerable work to be done by the dermatologic community in improving the readability of online patient materials regarding MMS.
