Readability levels of patient education material on the World Wide Web.

BACKGROUND

Patient education is an important component of family practice. Pamphlets, verbal instructions, and physicians' self-created materials have been the most common resources for patient education. Today, however, the popularity of the World Wide Web (Web) as a ready source of educational materials is increasing. The reading skills required by a patient to understand that information has not been determined. The objective of our study was to assess the readability of medical information on the Web that is specifically intended for patients.

METHODS

An investigator downloaded 50 sequential samples of patient education material from the Web. This information was then evaluated for readability using the Flesch reading score and Flesch-Kinkaid reading level.

RESULTS

On average, the patient information from the Web in our sample is written at a 10th grade, 2nd month reading level. Previous studies have shown that this readability level is not comprehensible to the majority of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Much of the medical information targeted for the general public on the Web is written at a reading level higher than is easily understood by much of the patient population.