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Readability statistics of patient information leaflets in a Speech and Language Therapy Department
Author(s) -
Pothier Louise,
Day Rachael,
Harris Catherine,
Pothier David D.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of language and communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.101
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1460-6984
pISSN - 1368-2822
DOI - 10.1080/13682820701726647
Subject(s) - readability , psychology , linguistics , philosophy
Background: Information leaflets are commonly used in Speech and Language Therapy Departments. Despite widespread use, they can be of variable quality. Aims: To revise current departmental leaflets using the National Health Service (NHS) Toolkit for Producing Patient Information and to test the effect that this has on the readability scores of the text. Methods & Procedures: Twenty existing leaflets were revised with the help of the NHS Toolkit for Producing Patient Information. Readability statistics were calculated for each leaflet before and after revision. Outcomes & Results: The mean Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) score and the Flesch–Kincaid Reading Grade Level (FKRGL) were significantly better in the revised leaflets ( p <0.01 and <0.01, respectively). The variability of readability outcome measures was lower in the revised group. Only 25% of the original leaflets met recommended levels of readability, while 75% of the revised leaflets met these standards. Conclusions: Readability is a vital component to consider in the production of information leaflets. Following simple guidelines on the production of leaflets for patients considerably improves their quality.