Reading skills of dietetic interns and readability of dietetics literature.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare reading skills of dietetic interns with reading levels of internship references.

DESIGN

A standardized reading test, the Nelson-Denny Reading Test, measured reading skills of entering dietetic interns over 7 years. A computerized readability program assessed the readability of references.

SETTING

Dietetic internships in university and Veterans Affairs hospitals.

SUBJECTS

Of 194 entering interns, 178 (92%) were included and 16 (89%) were omitted.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Nelson-Denny percentile and grade equivalent scores for vocabulary, comprehension, and total. The Fog Index identified reference reading-grade levels.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Interns from the two programs did not differ significantly on Nelson-Denny Reading Test scores or in application grade point average. Percentile means and standard deviations were 54.7 +/- 23.8 for vocabulary, 51.2 +/- 25.0 for comprehension, 52.9 +/- 23.9 for total, and 41.6 +/- 24.7 for reading rate. Nearly 20% (33 of 178) of interns read significantly below expected grade level. The fog Index assigned reference grade levels from 6.98 to 21.63 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of dietetic interns have strong reading skills and read within the references' reading levels. A minority may experience difficulties reading assignments. Preinternship reading skills assessment could lead to greater success in reading professional literature.