Assessment of readability of gynecologic cancer clinical trials literature at National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the readability of patient-facing gynecologic cancer clinical trial information on National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCI-CCCs) websites.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of publicly accessible information pertaining to gynecologic cancer clinical trials on NCI-CCC's websites in September 2023. Clinical trial descriptions for endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancers were assessed. Websites with limited to no descriptive information regarding their clinical trials were excluded. Readability was assessed using Readability Studio Professional Edition software for 5 readability metrics (FORCAST, Fry, Gunning Fog, Raygor Estimate, and SMOG).

Results: Of 56 NCI-CCCs evaluated, 78% (n = 44) had information pertaining to gynecologic cancer clinical trials and gynecologic clinical trial descriptions for readability analysis. A total of 14% (n = 8) lacked clinical trial descriptions and linked to Clinicaltrials.gov and 7% (n = 4) only had information available through additional inquiry within the cancer center. The overall mean reading level across all NCI-CCCs was 15th-grade or collegiate-level reading. The specific readability metric analyses were as follows: FORCAST: 12.4 (range; 9.7-14.7), Fry: 17 (range; 13-17), Gunning Fog: 16.8 (range; 10-19), Raygor Estimate: 16 (range; 7-17), and SMOG: 16.5 (range; 11.4-19). Clinical trial information was stratified by the National Cancer Institute Geographic Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program, with no statistically significant differences in readability or complexity.

Conclusions: In this analysis of publicly available patient-facing information on NCI-CCC websites regarding gynecologic cancer clinical trials, the readability scores were above the high school level across the United States, which far exceeds the recommended readability metric of sixth grade by the National Institutes of Health. Opportunities exist to improve the readability of gynecologic cancer clinical trial online literature, which may facilitate patient access, participation, and understanding.