Quality assessment of online patient education resources for peripheral neuropathy

• Published in: Journal of the peripheral nervous system Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 44 - 47
• Main Authors: Hansberry, David R., Suresh, Ragha, Agarwal, Nitin, Heary, Robert F., Goldstein, Ira M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Wiley Periodicals, Inc 01.03.2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Academic Medical Centers - statistics & numerical data; Comprehension; education; Health care; Health Education - methods; Health Education - statistics & numerical data; Health Literacy; Humans; Internet; Libraries; literacy; Medicine; Needs Assessment; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - epidemiology; peripheral neuropathy; readability; Web sites
• ISSN: 1085-9489; 1529-8027; 1529-8027
• DOI: 10.1111/jns5.12006

Given its practicality, the internet is a primary resource for patients afflicted with diseases like peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, it is important that the readily available online resources on peripheral neuropathy are tailored to the general public, particularly concerning readability. Patient education resources were downloaded from the US National Library of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Neuropathy.org, GBS/CIDP Foundation International, Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Association, Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, and Neuropathy Action Foundation websites. All patient education material related to peripheral neuropathy was evaluated for its level of readability using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level. The FRE scores averaged 43.4 with only the US National Library of Medicine scoring above 60 (76.5). The Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level scores averaged 11.0. All scores were above a seventh‐grade level except the US National Library of Medicine, which had a score of a fifth‐grade reading level. Most Americans may not fully benefit from patient education resources concerning peripheral neuropathy education on many of the websites. Only the US National Library of Medicine, which is written at a fifth‐grade level, is likely to benefit the average American.