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ERIC Number: EJ818594
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Nov
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-2822
EISSN: N/A
Readability Statistics of Patient Information Leaflets in a Speech and Language Therapy Department
Pothier, Louise; Day, Rachael; Harris, Catherine; Pothier, David D.
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, v43 n6 p712-722 Nov 2008
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 less than 0.01 and less than 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. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)
Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A