Readability, Understandability, Usability, and Cultural Sensitivity of Online Patient Educational Materials (PEMs) for Lower Extremity Reconstruction: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Anamika Veeramani, Anna Rose Johnson, Bernard T Lee, Arriyan S Dowlatshahi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Lower extremity reconstructive surgery is an evolving field wherein patients rely on accessible online materials to engage with their perioperative care. This study furthers existing research in this area by evaluating the readability, understandability, actionability, and cultural sensitivity of online health materials for lower extremity reconstruction. Methods: We identified the 10 first-appearing, educational sites found by searching the phrases "leg saving surgery", "limb salvage surgery," and "leg reconstruction surgery". Readability analysis was conducted with validated tools, including Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG). Understandability and actionability were assessed with Patient Education and Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), while cultural sensitivity was measured with Cultural Sensitivity Assessment Tool (CSAT). A Cohen's κ value was calculated (PEMAT and CSAT analyses) for inter-rater agreement. Results: The mean SMOG reading level for websites was 13.12 (college-freshman reading level). The mean PEMAT understandability score was 61.8% and actionability score was 26.0% (κ = 0.8022), both below the 70% acceptability threshold. The mean CSAT score was 2.6 (κ = 0.73), exceeding the 2.5 threshold for cultural appropriateness. Conclusion: Online PEM for lower extremity reconstruction continue to fall below standards of readability, understandability, and actionability; however, they meet standards of cultural appropriateness. As patients rely on these materials, creators can use validated tools and positive examples from existing PEM for greater patient accessibility.
期刊介绍:
Plastic Surgery (Chirurgie Plastique) is the official journal of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Group for the Advancement of Microsurgery, and the Canadian Society for Surgery of the Hand. It serves as a major venue for Canadian research, society guidelines, and continuing medical education.