RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Internet is becoming now becoming one of the major healthcare information sources. Aside from this popularity, new questions are now coming to bear, such as the quality of the information provided or its ability to convey knowledge. The purpose of this study is that of gauging the degree of readability of this information for patients which is accessible on the Internet in Spanish. METHODS: A total of 112 webpages dealing with seven (7) chronic diseases were selected. Based on the Microsoft Word readability statistics, we recovered the data of the number of syllables and sentences in the first 100 words in each document. For calculating readability, we used the adaptation of the Flesch degree formula for the Spanish language devised by Fernández Huerta. RESULTS: The mean readability of the documents is 65.16 (+/- 14.75), thus corresponding to a standard level, in other words, a thirteen-year-old's reading level. CONCLUSIONS: Although the readability scores found for the documents analyzed are good, they are not optimum for the users searching for health-related information on the Internet. It is essential that these informative documents be adapted to these users' readability level.. The need for studies evaluating the consequences entailed in the low degree of health-related literacy entails the incorrect use of medications, mistakes in preparing for diagnostic tests and an increase in the costs of healthcare services.
Assuntos
Serviços de Saúde , Internet , Leitura , HumanosRESUMO
Fundamentos: Internet se está conformando como una de las fuentes de información sanitaria más importante. Al lado de esta popularidad surgen nuevas cuestiones tales como la calidad de la información o su capacidad de transmitir conocimiento. El objetivo es medir el grado de legibilidad de la información para pacientes accesible en Internet en lengua española.Métodos: Se seleccionan 112 documentos acerca de 7 enfermedades crónicas. Recuperamos, de las estadísticas de legibilidad de Microsoft Word, los datos de número de sílabas y de oraciones en las 100 primeras palabras de cada documento. Para calcular la legibilidad aplicamos la adaptación de la fórmula de grado de Flesch para el idioma español realizada por Fernández Huerta.Resultados: La media de legibilidad de los documentos es de 65,16 (ñ 14,75), esto significa que se corresponde a un nivel estándar, es decir, un nivel de lectura de un niño de 13 años.Conclusiones: Los índices de legibilidad que muestran los documentos analizados, aunque buenos, no son los óptimos para los pacientes y usuarios que buscan información de salud en Internet. La elaboración de documentos de información para los pacientes adaptados a su nivel de legibilidad es fundamental. Se necesitan de estudios que valoren las consecuencias que la baja alfabetización en salud como el uso incorrecto de los medicamentos, errores en la preparación para las exploraciones diagnósticas e incremento de los costes de los servicios de salud (AU)
Background: Internet is becoming now becoming one of the major healthcare information sources. Aside from this popularity, new questions are now coming to bear, such as the quality of the information provided or its ability to convey knowledge. The purpose of this study is that of gauging the degree of readability of this information for patients which is accessible on the Internet in Spanish. Methods: A total of 112 webpages dealing with seven (7) chronic diseases were selected. Based on the Microsoft Word readability statistics, we recovered the data of the number of syllables and sentences in the first 100 words in each document. For calculating readability, we used the adaptation of the Flesch degree formula for the Spanish language devised by Fernández Huerta. Results: The mean readability of the documents is 65.16 (± 14.75), thus corresponding to a standard level, in other words, a thirteen-year-old’s reading level. Conclusions: Although the readability scores found for the documents analyzed are good, they are not optimum for the users searching for health-related information on the Internet. It is essential that these informative documents be adapted to these users’ readability level. The need for studies evaluating the consequences entailed in the low degree of health-related literacy entails the incorrect use of medications, mistakes in preparing for diagnostic tests and an increase in the costs of healthcare services (AU)
