The study presents valuable insights into the alignment of these patient education materials (PEMs) with recommended reading grade levels, highlighting an essential aspect of patient education. However, would like to highlight several important considerations that were not included in the study, which could potentially affect the overall effectiveness of these materials.
A similar study that we published in 2020 in the journal also showed that the readability of patient education materials on the websites of leading orthopaedic centers in the United States was much higher than the general public's health literacy level.2 This discrepancy undermines the primary goal of effectively communicating with patients.
Although readability is a crucial factor in ensuring that PEMs are accessible to patients with varying levels of health literacy, it alone does not provide a comprehensive measure of the utility and effectiveness of these materials. There are several additional dimensions that should be evaluated to paint a complete picture:
Reliability: It is imperative to assess the accuracy and reliability of the information provided in PEMs. Patients rely on these resources for guidance, and any inaccuracies can lead to misinformation and potentially harmful decisions regarding their health. The study would benefit from evaluating the credibility of the sources and the evidence-based nature of the content.3
Quality: The overall quality of the PEMs, including the structure, design, and presentation of information, markedly affects patient comprehension and engagement. High-quality materials should be well-organized, visually appealing, and include supportive visuals, such as diagrams or images to enhance understanding.4
Accessibility: Ensuring that PEMs are readily accessible to all patients is another vital aspect. This includes evaluating whether the materials are available in multiple languages, are easily navigable on institutional websites, and are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Inclusive design is key to broadening the reach and effect of these educational resources.2
Comprehensiveness: A thorough evaluation should consider the comprehensiveness of the PEMs in covering all necessary aspects of the condition and its management. For RCIs, this includes information on risk factors, prevention, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, rehabilitation, and potential complications.
Several studies have demonstrated the importance of these factors in patient education and the subsequent improvement in clinical outcomes.5-7 By expanding the scope of the evaluation beyond readability, we can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of PEMs and work toward enhancing their overall effectiveness.
I appreciate the efforts made in this study to highlight the readability issues in PEMs for RCIs and hope that the findings of this study will encourage orthopedic centers to pay greater attention to the readability level and the overall quality of the materials they provide for patient education.
Sincerely,
References
- 1.Miskiewicz M, Capotosto S, Ling K, Hance F, Wang E: Readability analysis of patient education material on rotator Cuff Injuries from the Top 25 ranking orthopaedic Institutions. Jam Acad Orthop Surg 2024;8:e24.00085. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Parsa A, Nazal M, Molenaars RJ, Agrawal RR, Martin SD: Evaluation of hip preservation–related patient education materials from leading orthopaedic academic centers in the United States and description of a novel video assessment tool. Jam Acad Orthop Surg 2020;4:e20.00064. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Ng MK, Emara AK, Molloy RM, Krebs VE, Mont M, Piuzzi NS: YouTube as a source of patient information for total knee/hip arthroplasty: Quantitative analysis of video reliability, quality, and content. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2021;29:e1034-e1044. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Parsa A, Prabhavalkar ON, Saeed S, Nerys-Figueroa J, Carbone A, Domb BG: Best practices on patient education materials in hip surgery based on learnings from major hip centers and societies. J Hip Preservation Surg 2024;28:hnae011. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Karimi AH, Shah AK, Hecht CJ, 2nd, Burkhart RJ, Acuña AJ, Kamath AF: Readability of online patient education materials for total joint arthroplasty: A systematic review. J Arthroplasty 2023;38:1392-1399. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 6.Sudah SY, Faccone RD, Manzi JE, et al. : Most patient education materials on shoulder conditions from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons exceed recommended readability levels. JSES Int 2023;7:126-131. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 7.Kunze KN, Krivicich LM, Verma NN, Chahla J: Quality of online video resources concerning patient education for the meniscus: A YouTube-based quality-control study. Arthroscopy 2020;36:233-238. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]