We need to do better: Readability analysis of online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation

Abstract

Objective: National Institute of Health recommends that patient education material should be written at no greater than 6^th-grade level. Cancer survivorship and fertility preservation discussion with patients is recommended by many national societies and being done more frequently. We sought to analyze online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation to see if they meet the criteria set by national guidelines.

Methods: Online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation was collected and analyzed by six of the most common readability tests. Only websites in English and free to access were used.

Results: A total of 15 separate websites for cancer survivorship and fertility preservation was used. All websites failed to meet national guidelines. Cancer survivorship information was written at a high school senior and a 12^th-grade level. Fertility preservation information was written at a high school-senior and junior college level.

Conclusion: Online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation did not meet national guidelines. Testing across six of the most used readability indexes showed that information is challenging to understand for the general patient population.

Policy statement: This article shares an insight into the complex and growing fields of cancer survivorship and fertility preservation. Educating patients about their condition is critical and improves outcomes and participation in shared decision making. Healthcare policy should focus on implementing a system that will provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information in the community for patients about their disease.

Keywords: Cancer survivorship; Education material; Fertility preservation; Online material; Patient education; Readability index.