Evaluating the readability of online patient-facing resources for alcohol use disorder

The goal of this study was to assess the readability of online resources pertaining to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as perceived by patients seeking treatment. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and American Medical Association (AMA) have recommended that medical resources should be written at a 6th-grade reading level. However, prior investigations in various medical fields have revealed that online materials often fail to adhere to these guidelines. An internet search was conducted to simulate the experience of patients seeking information on AUD treatment. The first 30 websites that did not require login credentials were examined using established readability tests. The main outcomes included: Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level, Gunning Fog index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) Readability Formula, and Coleman-Liau index. Thirty records were identified where the mean readability level was 12.37 (2.54). There were no significant differences in mean readability across readability indices or author type. None of the 30 records met the reading level recommendations as set by the NIH and AMA. In order to enhance accessibility and ultimately improve AUD health outcomes, it is recommended that patient-oriented resources be crafted with adherence to these guidelines. Consequently, future AUD resources ought to prioritize the enhancement of their readability.