Readability of Online Patient Education Materials for Cervical Laminoplasty

Prospective survey study.

Patients frequently utilize Internet-based resources to seek information. Cervical laminoplasty is extensively marketed on the Internet, and patients may research their condition for the treatment of cervical spinal stenosis. Previous literature has recommended that the readability of patient education materials (PEM) should not exceed the 6th grade reading level to optimize health literacy.

This study aims to evaluate the readability of online PEM concerning cervical laminoplasty.

A Google search query was performed using the term "Cervical Laminoplasty patient information." The first 25 websites meeting study inclusion criteria were analyzed for readability using Flesch-Kincaid, average reading level consensus, Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and Linsear Write indices. Descriptive statistics were reported.

The mean average reading level was 11.1 (1.96). The mean Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease score was 49 (12.6). The mean Gunning Fog Score was 12.2 (2.15), Flesch Kincaid grade level 10.6 (2.62), Coleman Liau SMOG 11.6 (1.92), Automated Readability Index 10.6 (3.13), Linsear Write 68.2 (9.2). One of the twenty-five PEMS included was evaluated to be below the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Five of the PEMs were considered general health information (GHI), and twenty were considered clinical practice (CP). No differences were found between CP and GHI websites (P>0.05).

Creating appropriate PEM is integral to achieving optimal health literacy. The current readability of the most accessible PEMs related to cervical laminoplasty is inadequate. As it stands, many patients may not appropriately comprehend the description of their anticipated surgery.