Table of Contents:
Readability: Creating literature that patients can and
will read (BACK TO TOP)
Readability relates to the re-writing or production of
literature that matches the literacy abilities of a targeted
population of readers. Readability issues should be addressed at
all age levels. However, for our purposes here, especially given
the importance of readability as relates to medical prescriptions,
written doctors' orders, directions to healthcare facilities, and
general navigation of the healthcare system, we are addressing the
literacy abilities of adults. In particular, we are addressing the
need to create literature that is compatible with the reading
skills of patients who only know English as a second language, or
who are adults who are low literate, or who are seniors who may
struggle with reading.
There are a number of tools available to help healthcare
professionals address the readability levels of the literature they
produce for patients. The most accessible readability tool can be
found in the "Tools" option of Microsoft Word, under "Spelling and
Grammar."
Rules for Enhancing Readability of Text (BACK TO TOP)
General rules of reducing the difficulty level of reading
materials include the following:
- Use common or short words
- Use short sentences
- Use commands. That is, begin sentences with action words or
verbs.
Here are nine formulas for testing readability (from The
Electronic Writing Course (URL: www.ElectronicWritingCourse.com)
Formula # 1: Dale-Chall
A vocabulary-based formula normally used to assess upper
elementary through secondary materials.
Formula # 2: Flesch Reading Ease
Normally used to assess adult materials, shows scores on a scale
between 0 and 100.
Formula # 3: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level
Most reliable when used with upper elementary and secondary
materials.
Formula # 4: Fry Graph
Used over a wide grade range of materials, from elementary through
college and beyond.
Formula # 5: FOG
Widely used in the health care and general insurance industries
for general business publications.
Formula # 6: Powers-Sumner- Kear
Used in assessing primary through early elementary level
materials.
Formula # 7: SMOG
Unlike any of the other formulas, SMOG predicts the grade level
required for 100% comprehension. http://www.harrymclaughlin.com/SMOG.htm
Formula # 8: FORCAST Focuses on functional
literacy. Used to assess non- running narrative, e.g.
questionnaires, forms, tests ...
Formula # 9: Spache
A vocabulary-based formula widely used in assessing primary
through fourth grade materials.
A National List of Websites Informing the Development
of Patient Materials (BACK TO TOP)
The following list will be useful for professionals who are
looking for resources to help aid the development of health related
materials:
An Exercise in Adjusting Readability (BACK TO TOP)
(This exercise was done by gauging readability using the
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level tool in Microsoft Word)
Grade Level: 14.0
Did you know that African American babies are
twice as likely to
die during their first year of life in comparison
to all infants?
The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program is here to help
reduce African American infant deaths and improve the health and
well-being of African American women and children. We provide
free services to pregnant and parenting African
American women, including case management, parenting classes,
health assessments and referrals. If you or a loved one need our
help, please call the Black Infant Health Program at
619-266-7466.
Grade Level: 10.6
Did you know that African American babies are
twice as likely as other infants to
die during their first year of life?
The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program is here to
help. We reduce African American infant deaths and improve the
health and well-being of African American women and children. We
provide free services to pregnant and parenting
African American women. We offer case management, parenting
classes, health assessments and referrals. If you or a loved one
needs our help, please call the Black Infant Health Program at
619-266-7466.
Grade Level: 7.8
Did you know that African American babies are more likely to die
in their year of life than other babies?
The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program can help. We
improve the health of African American women. We help their
children. We offer free help to pregnant African
American women. We offer training on being a parent. We offer
counseling. Please call us at 619-266-7466.
Grade Level: 7.7
Did you know that African American babies are
twice as likely as other infants to
die during their first year of life?
The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program is here to
help. We improve the health and well-being of African American
women and children. We provide free services to
pregnant African American women. We also offer training on being a
parent. We offer counseling. We offer parenting classes. We do
health assessments. If you or a loved one needs our help, please
call the Black Infant Health Program at 619-266-7466.
Grade Level: 7.1
Did you know that African American babies are more likely to die
in their year of life than other babies?
The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program is here to
help. We improve the health of African American women and children.
We provide free services to pregnant African American
women. We offer training on being a parent. We offer counseling. We
offer parenting classes. If you or a loved one need our help,
please call us. We can be reached at 619-266-7466.
Grade Level: 7.0
African American babies are more likely to die in their year of
life than other babies.
The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program can help. We
improve the health of African American women. We improve the health
of their children. We offer free services to pregnant
African American women. We offer training on being a parent. We
offer counseling. We offer parenting classes. Call us if you need
help. Call us if you know someone who needs help. Call
619-266-7466.
Grade Level: 6.9
Did you know that African American babies are more likely to die
in their year of life than other babies?
The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program is here to
help. We improve the health of African American women and children.
We provide free services to pregnant African American
women. We offer training on being a parent. We offer counseling. We
offer parenting classes. We do health assessments. If you or a
loved one needs our help, please call us. We can be reached at
619-266-7466.
Readability is also akin to the challenge of "signage."
"Signage" in the case of healthcare, relates to the posting of
signs that are visual in nature and that are successfully
descriptive in directing patients who are low-level readers or
patients who are non-readers, to medical services.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Hablamos Juntos (We
Speak Together) is referred to in the Joint Health Literacy
Report. The mission of the project is to improve communication
between health care providers and their patients with limited
English proficiency. The project has developed 28 copyrighted
symbols that are available for download at: http://www.hablamosjuntos.org/signage/symbols/default.using_symbols.asp
This website also includes information and kits on implementing the
symbols, posters and the symbols in PDF and EPS formats. Health
Literacy San Diego's website features symbols from this project
throughout our website. For more information on this project in
general, please visit: http://www.hablamosjuntos.org/
(BACK TO TOP)