Readability of the American, Canadian, and British Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Societies’ Patient Materials

Abstract

Objective Patient education materials across 3 national English otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (OHNS) societies: the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO‐HNS), the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (CSOHNS), and Ear, Nose, and Throat United Kingdom (ENT UK) were examined to determine whether they are written at a level suitable for patient comprehension. Study Design Cross‐sectional study. Setting Online patient materials presented through OHNS national societies. Methods Readability was calculated using the Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch‐Kincaid Reading Ease Score, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index. All public patient education materials available through the CSOHNS, AAO‐HNS, and ENT UK websites were assessed. Patient education materials were grouped into categories by subspecialty. Results In total, 128 patient materials from the 3 societies were included in the study. All 3 societies required a minimum grade 9 reading comprehension level to understand their online materials. According to Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level, the CSOHNS required a significantly higher reading grade level to comprehend the materials presented when compared to AAO‐HNS (11.3 vs 9.9; 95% CI, 0.5‐2.4; P <. 01) and ENT UK (11.3 vs 9.4; 95% CI, 0.9‐2.9; P <. 01). Patient education materials related to rhinology were the least readable among all 3 societies. Conclusion This study suggests that the reading level of the current patient materials presented through 3 national OHNS societies are written at a level that exceeds current recommendations. Promisingly, it highlights an improvement for the readability of patient materials presented through the AAO‐HNS.