Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33008367›Full record

ArticleBMC ophthalmology2020

Assessment of online patient education materials designed for people with age-related macular degeneration.

Jennifer Fortuna, Anne Riddering, Linda Shuster, Cassie Lopez-Jeng

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC ophthalmology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed
1.9field-weighted citation impact, top 11% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.

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  7. Search engine optimization and its association with readability and accessibility of diabetic retinopathy websites.Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2024
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  11. Assessment of patient education materials for age-related macular degeneration.Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 2022
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Jennifer FortunaOccupational Science and Therapy Department, Grand Valley State University, 500 Lafayette Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA. fortunje@gvsu.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3536-2605
Anne RidderingDepartment of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.
Linda ShusterDepartment of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.
Cassie Lopez-JengSchool of Interdisciplinary Health Programs, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.
Western Michigan University · USGrand Valley State University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye condition that leads to permanent vision loss in the central visual field. AMD makes reading challenging and inefficient. People with AMD often find it difficult to access, process and understand written patient education materials (PEMs). To promote health literacy, the demands of written PEMs must match the literacy capacities of the target audience. This study aims to evaluate the readability (grade level) and suitability (appropriateness) of online PEMs designed for people with AMD.

methodsOnline PEMs were sourced from websites of national organizations providing patient education materials designed for people with AMD. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula and the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument were used to assess the readability and suitability of PEMs. Descriptive statistics were used to compare online PEMs by organization based on national guidelines for readability level (≤ sixth grade) and the recommended suitability score (≥ 70%) for "superior" material.

resultsOne hundred online PEMs were evaluated from websites of 16 professional organizations. The mean readability level was 9.3 (range 5.0-16.6). The mean suitability score was 53% (range 18-78%). Only six (6%) of PEMs achieved the recommended guidelines for readability level and suitability score.

conclusionThe majority of online PEMs designed for people with AMD were written above the recommended readability level, and below the suggested suitability score. To promote health literacy, the demands of written health information must match the reading capacities of the target audience. Heeding to evidence-based guidelines for providing written information to patients with low health literacy and low vision is beneficial for both patients and health care providers. Future research is warranted.

Indexed as

Health LiteracyMacular DegenerationComprehensionHumansInternetPatient Education as TopicReadingAge-related macular degenerationHealth literacyPatient education materialsReadabilitySuitability

Identifiers

PMID33008367
PMCPMC7532594
OpenAlexW3090925069

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.