Fortuna Jennifer, Riddering Anne, Shuster Linda, Lopez-Jeng Cassie
Occupational Science and Therapy Department, Grand Valley State University, 500 Lafayette Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.
Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.
BMC Ophthalmol. 2020 Oct 2;20(1):391. doi: 10.1186/s12886-020-01664-x.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye condition that leads to permanent vision loss in the central visual field. AMD makes reading challenging and inefficient. People with AMD often find it difficult to access, process and understand written patient education materials (PEMs). To promote health literacy, the demands of written PEMs must match the literacy capacities of the target audience. This study aims to evaluate the readability (grade level) and suitability (appropriateness) of online PEMs designed for people with AMD.
Online PEMs were sourced from websites of national organizations providing patient education materials designed for people with AMD. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula and the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument were used to assess the readability and suitability of PEMs. Descriptive statistics were used to compare online PEMs by organization based on national guidelines for readability level (≤ sixth grade) and the recommended suitability score (≥ 70%) for "superior" material.
One hundred online PEMs were evaluated from websites of 16 professional organizations. The mean readability level was 9.3 (range 5.0-16.6). The mean suitability score was 53% (range 18-78%). Only six (6%) of PEMs achieved the recommended guidelines for readability level and suitability score.
The majority of online PEMs designed for people with AMD were written above the recommended readability level, and below the suggested suitability score. To promote health literacy, the demands of written health information must match the reading capacities of the target audience. Heeding to evidence-based guidelines for providing written information to patients with low health literacy and low vision is beneficial for both patients and health care providers. Future research is warranted.
年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）是一种慢性眼部疾病，会导致中心视野永久性视力丧失。AMD使阅读变得具有挑战性且效率低下。患有AMD的人通常会发现获取、处理和理解书面患者教育材料（PEM）很困难。为了提高健康素养，书面PEM的要求必须与目标受众的识字能力相匹配。本研究旨在评估为AMD患者设计的在线PEM的可读性（年级水平）和适用性（适当性）。
在线PEM来自提供为AMD患者设计的患者教育材料的国家组织网站。使用弗莱施-金凯德年级水平公式和材料适用性评估工具来评估PEM的可读性和适用性。描述性统计用于根据可读性水平（≤六年级）的国家指南和“优质”材料的推荐适用性分数（≥70%）按组织比较在线PEM。
从16个专业组织的网站上评估了100份在线PEM。平均可读性水平为9.3（范围5.0 - 16.6）。平均适用性分数为53%（范围18 - 78%）。只有6份（6%）PEM达到了可读性水平和适用性分数的推荐指南。
为AMD患者设计的大多数在线PEM的编写高于推荐的可读性水平，且低于建议的适用性分数。为了提高健康素养，书面健康信息的要求必须与目标受众的阅读能力相匹配。遵循为健康素养低和视力差的患者提供书面信息的循证指南对患者和医疗保健提供者都有益。未来有必要进行研究。
