Evaluation of readability of Turkish online sources related to adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy
Ahmet Adnan Cırık1, Alp Yüce1, Yeşim Esen Yiğit Koçer1, Burak Erkmen2, Şamil Şahin2, Yaşar Kemal Duymaz1
1Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Hastalıkları Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Özel Klinik, Kulak Burun Boğaz Hastalıkları, İstanbul, Türkiye
Keywords: Adenoidectomy, adenotonsillectomy, Ateşman readability index, online patient education materials, tonsillectomy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the readability and apprehensibility of online Turkish patient education sources related to adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy procedures.
METHODS: On the Google search engine, “adenoidectomy surgery,” “tonsillectomy surgery,” and “adenotonsillectomy surgery” terms were searched in Turkish. For each term, the first 50 websites were determined. Websites with repeating content, academic journals, videos, and websites including only graphics and tables were excluded. Websites were categorized as hospital websites or physician websites. These education materials were evaluated with Ateşman readability score.
RESULTS: Ninety-one websites were analyzed after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Regarding patient education articles, 49 hospital websites and 42 physician websites were identified. The mean Ateşman readability scores of all websites was 58.88±7.81 (apprehensible by 11th and 12th grade students). The mean score of hospital websites was 58.89±8.54, and the mean score of physician websites was 58.87±6.96. There was no statistically significant difference between the hospital websites and physician websites (p=0.925).
CONCLUSION: The readability of patient education sources related to adenotonsillectomy in the Turkish language is more difficult than the desired level. Improving the readability of the websites may help direct patients to the correct treatment and increase adherence to the treatment process.