How Readable Is the Patient Education Material Found on Top-Rated Hospital Web Sites?

Abstract

The higher the reading grade level of a document, the more difficult the material is for patients to read and understand. This study assessed the readability of patient information material concerning one topic—hip replacement surgery—found on the Web sites of 21 of the top adult orthopedic hospitals (ranked according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals, Top-Ranked Hospitals for Orthopedics 2013–2014). The material was assessed using widely available online tools. The assessment showed that the reading grade levels ranged between 5.9 and 17.2. The overall average was a grade level of 11.9.

KEYWORDS:

• health literacy
• hospital Web sites
• online reading grade level tools
• patient-centered care
• patient safety
• reading level

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author thanks Mark Shroder and Pamela S. Hinds for their advice, support, and patience.