An analysis of the readability and cultural sensitivity of information on the National Cancer Institute's Web site: CancerNet.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the level of reading skills required by lay people who access patient-related cancer information through CancerNet, the Web site of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and to assess the cultural sensitivity of the information targeted to certain ethnic groups. DESIGN: Descriptive study, repeated measures. SETTING: NCI's CancerNet Web site (http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov). SAMPLE: A convenience sample of 49 documents from the CancerNet Web site was analyzed. METHODS: The readability of each document was analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid readability formula. Using Bloch's Ethnic/Cultural Assessment Tool as a guide, a content analysis of the ethnic-related documents was performed to determine the cultural sensitivity of the information. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Readability and cultural sensitivity of the written cancer information. FINDINGS: The overall mean reading level was 12th grade. Little variation existed in the cultural content of the information even though several ethnic groups were targeted. CONCLUSION: Information on CancerNet needs to be modified to meet the information needs of people with low reading skills and to make the information more culturally sensitive for various ethnic groups. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Finding successful methods for educating patients and families is a primary responsibility of oncology nurses. Information can play a vital role in helping patients to engage in self-care behavior. Therefore, nurses must be knowledgeable about the readability, usefulness, and cultural-sensitivity of information on cancer Web sites so that they can guide patients to appropriate Internet resources.

Patient education materials nurses use in community health.

This study examined the reading level of patient education materials commonly used by nurses in a local health department, a community health center, and a home health care agency, and it also examined the cultural and ethnically related information included in the content of the selected educational materials. Results showed that a ninth-grade reading level was required for these patient education materials. A commercially developed booklet on parenting skills for teenage parents required the lowest reading level (fifth grade). In contrast, graduate reading level was required for materials dealing with the patient's bill of rights. Culturally sensitive information was found in only 4 of the 47 materials. In the clinical settings in which these materials were used, more than 90 ethnic and cultural groups were served. The materials used to educate these groups failed to recognize cultural beliefs, values, languages, perceptions, and attitudes held by patients and families.

Patient literacy levels: a consideration when designing patient education programs.

The purposes of this study were to examine (a) the relationship between patients' own reports of the highest grade completed in school and their actual reading level and (b) the relationship between literacy and the level of knowledge about self-care after patients had received education involving written discharge instructions. In addition, the content of the materials was analyzed for its cultural sensitivity. Twenty-six patients who had had either hip- or knee-replacement surgery at an inner-city hospital participated in this correlational descriptive study. There was a significant negative relationship between patients' own reports of highest grade completed in school and their actual reading level (r = -.39, p < .05). Rehabilitation nurses should find this study beneficial for developing, assessing, and using written patient education materials appropriate for the reading level of their patient populations.

Are patient information materials too difficult to read?

This article describes a study that found much of the written patient information materials used during home visits may be too difficult for patients and caregivers to read and comprehend. A discussion of literacy and suggestions for selecting, developing, and analyzing health education and information materials that are easy-to-read and culturally appropriate are provided.

Measuring patients' ability to read and comprehend: a first step in patient education.

Recent reports released by the U.S. Department of Education indicate that approximately 90 million adults have poor reading and comprehension skills. This information highlights the importance of considering the literacy level of clients when planning patient education programs. The purpose of this investigation was to measure, in urban public clinics, the discrepancy between a self-report of the highest grade completed in school and the actual reading and comprehension levels of patients, measured by the WRAT and CLOZE. Twenty-five subjects, 22 African Americans and 3 Caucasians, participated in this study. The findings indicated that, even though the self-reported highest grade completed showed a mean of twelfth grade, the actual mean reading level was below eighth grade. The results on comprehension showed that 52% (N = 13) of the subjects needed additional instructions after reading materials and 24% were unable to comprehend what they read. The demographics of people with poor literacy skills suggests that they represent a significant proportion of health care consumers who visit health departments, primary care facilities, and community-based health centers (Baker, Newton, & Bergerstresser, 1988).

The suitability of United States Pharmacopoeia Dispensory Information psychotropic drug leaflets for urban patients with limited reading skills.

Although considerable research exist on the readability of patient education materials, few studies have focused on the efficacy of information drug leaflets used for psychopharmacology education of patients with limited reading skills. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the suitability of United States Pharmacopoeia Dispensary Information (USP-DI) drug leaflets (N = 42) for educating urban in-patients at a psychiatric unit using measurement criteria of the Suitability Assessment for Materials (SAM) instrument. The findings showed the USP-DI information drug leaflets were unsuitable as an educational tool for psychiatric in-patients with poor reading ability.

Measuring patients' ability to read and comprehend: a first step in patient education.

Recent reports released by the U.S. Department of Education indicate that approximately 90 million adults have poor reading and comprehension skills. This information highlights the importance of considering the literacy level of clients when planning patient education programs. The purpose of this investigation was to measure, in urban public clinics, the discrepancy between a self-report of the highest grade completed in school and the actual reading and comprehension levels of patients, measured by the WRAT and CLOZE. Twenty-five subjects, 22 African Americans and 3 Caucasians, participated in this study. The findings indicated that, even though the self-reported highest grade completed showed a mean of twelth grade, the actual mean reading level was below eighth grade. The results on comprehension showed that 52% (N = 13) of the subjects needed additional instructions after reading materials and 24% were unable to comprehend what they read. The demographics of people with poor literacy skills suggests that they represent a significant proportion of health care consumers who visit health departments, primary care facilities, and community-based health centers.

Quality of care information for consumers on the Internet.

The purpose of this study was to assess the readability of quality of care information for consumers available on the Internet. Ten Internet resources for consumers, found at three major Web sites, were analyzed for readability. The scores ranged from a low of 6th grade level for information in the document "Quick Checks for Quality: Choosing Quality Health Care" to a high of 12th grade level for "Helping You Choose a Quality Ambulatory Care Organization." The overall mean reading demands of four of the documents were higher than the 8th grade level recommended for the general public. Six of the documents were at this level or below, placing them at an appropriate reading level for most consumers to understand the information.