Kailyn Elliott, Cynthia Foronda, Mary McKay, Karina A. Gattamorta, Carol Biggs
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Health literacy is vital for patient outcomes, especially for vulnerable groups. However, patient education materials (PEMs) often exceed recommended comprehension levels, hindering equitable health care access.
Methods
We evaluated 100 PEMs in an academic health care system using readability metrics and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool.
Results
PEMs were highly understandable (82%) but had low actionability (57%). The Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) Index was most effective (r = 0.79, sensitivity = 0.89). Major barriers included complex terms, lack of visuals, and limited cultural responsiveness.
Conclusion
Using the SMOG Index, visual aids, standardized templates, and community-informed reviews can enhance PEMs, promoting health equity and better outcomes.
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