Readability of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Used in Voice Disorders.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate Turkish patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) used in voice disorders using different readability formulas and to examine the relationship between text-based features and readability values.

Study design: A search was conducted to identify published Turkish PRO questionnaires related to dysphonia that are completed by patients.

Methods: A search was conducted to identify published PROM related to dysphonia that are completed by patients in a self-administered format. Reading grade levels were analyzed for voice-related PROM using the Ateşman readability and the Bezirci-Yılmaz new readability formulas as computed by a readability calculations software package. Text-based quantitative features are obtained. Descriptive statistics were also computed across the questionnaires.

Results: A total of 14 PROMs were found. In the analysis, the mean of the Ateşman readability values of the PROM was calculated as 70.66 (±5.55). This value is defined as "easy," according to the Ateşman readability measures. The average Bezirci-Yılmaz new readability value is 6.03 (±1.07). This value corresponds to the sixth-grade reading level in the Turkish education system.

Conclusions: Results show that more than half of the PROMs in the Turkish language have the recommended reading level. PROMs allow health care professionals to objectively understand the patient's symptoms, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Therefore, it is critical that patients accurately understand and respond to these outcome measures. This is why developers should consider reading as a testable structure. Speech and language therapists should consider the reading level required to understand a specific PROM to obtain the most useful information for treatment planning and outcome assessments.