Analysis of patient information leaflets provided by a district general hospital by the Flesch and Flesch–Kincaid method

Introduction:  Patient information leaflets (PILs) remain the most frequently used sources of medical information. There is a concern that the reading age of these leaflets may exceed patient comprehension, thus negating their beneficial effect. The ‘Flesch Reading Ease’ and the ‘Flesch–Kincaid grade level’ are established methods for providing reliable and reproducible scores of readability.

[1]  M Emberton,et al.  New directions in information for patients , 1995, BMJ.

[2]  Michael K Paasche-Orlow,et al.  Readability standards for informed-consent forms as compared with actual readability. , 2003, The New England journal of medicine.

[3]  I. Purves,et al.  A PIL for every ill? Patient information leaflets (PILs): a review of past, present and future use. , 1998, Family practice.

[4]  Meg Wilson,et al.  Readability and Patient Education Materials Used for Low-Income Populations , 2009, Clinical nurse specialist CNS.

[5]  J. Jenkins,et al.  Simplification of Flesch Reading Ease Formula. , 1951 .

[6]  P Ley,et al.  Satisfaction, compliance and communication. , 1982, The British journal of clinical psychology.

[7]  Improvement,et al.  Adult literacy in America : a first look at the results of the National Adult Literacy Survey , 1993 .

[8]  B. Morrey.  Readability of Patient Education Materials from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Web Sites , 2009 .

[9]  P. Ley,et al.  Communicating with Patients: Improving Communication, Satisfaction and Compliance , 1988 .

[10]  J. Weinman.  Providing Written Information for Patients: Psychological Considerations , 1990, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

[11]  T. Perneger,et al.  Combined written and oral information prior to gastrointestinal endoscopy compared with oral information alone: a randomized trial , 2008, BMC gastroenterology.

[12]  J F Mayberry,et al.  Effective Instructions for Patients , 1996, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London.

[13]  R. P. Fishburne,et al.  Derivation of New Readability Formulas (Automated Readability Index, Fog Count and Flesch Reading Ease Formula) for Navy Enlisted Personnel , 1975 .

[14]  G. Barbour,et al.  Videotape aids informed consent decision. , 1978, JAMA.

[15]  D. Barnett,et al.  Producing patient information: how to research, develop and produce effective information resources , 2004 .

[16]  P. Impicciatore,et al.  Reliability of health information for the public on the world wide web: systematic survey of advice on managing fever in children at home , 1997, BMJ.

[17]  H. Dunkelman.  Patients' knowledge of their condition and treatment: how it might be improved. , 1979, British medical journal.

[18]  V. Gauld.  Written advice: compliance and recall. , 1981, The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

[19]  S. Sabharwal,et al.  Readability of patient education materials from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America web sites. , 2008, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[20]  J C Wyatt,et al.  Commentary: measuring quality and impact of the world wide web , 1997, BMJ.

[21]  R. Flesch.  A new readability yardstick. , 1948, The Journal of applied psychology.

[22]  P. Ley.  Comprehension, memory and the success of communications with the patient , 1972 .

[23]  J. Moll,et al.  Doctor-patient communication in rheumatology: studies of visual and verbal perception using educational booklets and other graphic material. , 1986, Annals of the rheumatic diseases.

[24]  Danielle Swain.  Producing Patient Information – How to Research, Develop and Produce Effective Information Resources. , 2003 .

[25]  J B Kitching,et al.  Patient Information Leaflets - the State of the Art , 1990, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.