Online Patient Resources for Birdshot Uveitis: How Readable are These Resources?

Purpose: Birdshot uveitis is a rare ophthalmic condition that can be challenging to control. The readability of online patient resources may impact the management of patients with birdshot. Thus, we examined the readability of online patient resources and identified differences in readability among sources and sections of websites.

Methods: We queried 3 search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing) for search results based on a series of terms related to birdshot uveitis. One hundred and twenty results were retrieved and 17 articles were assessed for readability analysis using validated readability and grade-level metrics. Articles were scored based on their entire textual content and, when feasible, also based on sections (e.g. background, diagnosis, treatment). Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA and Tukey's honestly significant difference.

Results: The websites analyzed were from hospitals and academic centers (5), private practices (3), patient advocacy organizations (4), and other non-profits (5). On average, online patient resources are too difficult to read according to readability scores and grade levels ranging from late high school to college graduate. Articles written by non-profits other than advocacy organizations had an average of 6.5% more complex words than articles written by hospitals and academic centers (p < 0.05). Multiple metrics revealed that the treatment sections were less readable than the causes and symptoms sections.

Conclusion: The readability of online patient resources for birdshot far exceeds reading levels recommended by the AMA, NIH, and patient safety organizations. Efforts should be made to improve the readability of patient education materials and patient understanding of their disease.