Evaluating Patient Literacy in the Health Information Space: What Does Release of Information Tell Us?

Background: Some research on social determinants of health (SDOH) has suggested that patient health literacy (HL) or comprehension can influence health outcomes, while other recent studies have not observed strong connections between those variables. Previous research has utilized various screening tools to assess patient HL, with varying success. Methods: In this three-phase study, the authors assessed the "readability" of various common patient health information documents and forms used by prominent US-based healthcare organizations and requestors, including authorizations and privacy notices, according to the Flesch-Kincaid and Flesch Reading Ease scales. Results: The results showed that the documents examined had readability scores higher than the average American's literacy level. Conclusions: Confirming anecdotal data, this research supports the conclusion that many forms signed by American patients are above their average reading level and therefore they may not have a full understanding of what they are signing, even when requesting that records to be sent to others.