| Abstrakt: |
The purpose of this study was to assess the suit ability of various neurology patient education brochures, as well as neurology information on the World Wide Web, to determine whether they were appropriate for patients with low literacy. A convenience sample of 520 patients in university based public and private neurology clinics participated. In this crosssectional study, the patients' reading levels were assessed by using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine. Fortythree patient education materials were assessed for read ing level by using the Fog Index and for suitability character istics including content, type and relevance of graphics, layout, type size and fonts, and motivating qualities by using the Suitability Assessment of Materials. The mean education level of patients was 12th grade however, the mean reading level was 7th8th grade. Of the assessed materials, 91 were written at a 9thgrade level or above, even though only 58 of patients read at a 9thgrade level. Only 14 of the materials were considered to have superior suitability, whereas 58 were adequate, and 28 were determined not suitable. Thus, the available neurology patient education aids are not matched to the patient population or to the average U.S. reading levels. Ideally, information needs to be written at a 9thgrade level or below. Instructional graphics, simpler words, patient interac tion, and cultural sensitivity improve material suitability. |
