Title
Readability of Online Health Information: A Meta-Narrative Systematic Review
Date Issued
01 September 2018
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Daraz L.
Morrow A.S.
Farah W.
Katabi A.
Majzoub A.
Seisa M.O.
Benkhadra R.
Alsawas M.
Larry P.
Murad M.H.
Mayo Clinic
Publisher(s)
SAGE Publications Inc.
Abstract
Online health information should meet the reading level for the general public (set at sixth-grade level). Readability is a key requirement for information to be helpful and improve quality of care. The authors conducted a systematic review to evaluate the readability of online health information in the United States and Canada. Out of 3743 references, the authors included 157 cross-sectional studies evaluating 7891 websites using 13 readability scales. The mean readability grade level across websites ranged from grade 10 to 15 based on the different scales. Stratification by specialty, health condition, and type of organization producing information revealed the same findings. In conclusion, online health information in the United States and Canada has a readability level that is inappropriate for general public use. Poor readability can lead to misinformation and may have a detrimental effect on health. Efforts are needed to improve readability and the content of online health information.
Start page
487
End page
492
Volume
33
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Salud pública, Salud ambiental Lingüística
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85048492012
PubMed ID
Source
American Journal of Medical Quality
ISSN of the container
10628606
Sponsor(s)
AMA, American Medical Association; ENT, ear, nose and throat; ICU, intensive care unit; NIH, National Institutes of Health; OBGYN, obstetrics and gynecology. AMA, American Medical Association; ARI, Automated Readability Index; CLI, Coleman-Liau Index; NIH, National Institutes of Health. *Academic/hospitals/professional medical organization. AMA, American Medical Association; NIH, National Institutes of Health.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus