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Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Quality and readability of online information on idiopathic subglottic stenosis
Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology, v 6(5), pp 1068-1076
Oct 2021
PMID: 34667850
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objective
Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (ISS) is a chronic condition characterized by disease recurrence and multiple surgeries. These frustrated patients may utilize the internet to research their condition. The aim of this study was to determine the quality and readability of online ISS information.
Methods
“Idiopathic subglottic stenosis” was entered into Google. The first 50 websites that met inclusion criteria were extracted. The DISCERN instrument, Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), and Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) assessed the quality and readability, respectively. Means, SDs, Pearson correlation coefficients, and two‐tailed Student's t‐test were calculated.
Results
The 50 websites consisted of 17 patient‐targeted and 33 professional‐targeted websites, plus 30 major and 20 minor websites. The overall DISCERN, FRES, and FKGL scores were 2.81 ± 0.99, 27.75 ± 15.27, and 13.65 ± 2.79, respectively (mean ± SD). Patient‐targeted websites had significantly lower quality (DISCERN [P < .00]) but were easier to read (lower FKGL [P < .00], higher FRES [P < .00]) than professional‐targeted websites. Minor websites had a significantly lower quality (DISCERN [P < 0.00]) but were easier to read (lower FKGL [P < .00], higher FRES [P < .00]) than major websites. There was a positive correlation between overall quality and difficulty in readability.
Conclusion
The quality of online ISS information was suboptimal. Resources were too difficult to comprehend and readability scores were above AMA and NIH recommendations. Improved online information is required to properly educate this patient population.
Level of Evidence
Level 4.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Quality and readability of online information on idiopathic subglottic stenosis
- Creators
- Austin Heffernan - University of British ColumbiaAmanda Hu - University of British Columbia
- Publication Details
- Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology, v 6(5), pp 1068-1076
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc
- Number of pages
- 9
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Otolaryngology (and Head and Neck Surgery)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000683262800001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85112059276
- Other Identifier
- 991019299012704721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Otorhinolaryngology