Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

Objective

Complications of esophageal strictures have decreased in recent years due to evolved endoscopic methods. This has primarily been through esophageal dilation. This study examines the level of readability of patient information on esophageal dilation across 40 websites found via internet search.

Methods

In this cross-sectional readability study, the content of the first 40 websites about “esophageal dilation” and “upper GI endoscopy” found via Google search was analyzed using WebFX (Harrisburg, PA), an established readability tool. Five readability indices, each having a unique mathematical formula, were used to analyze online material. Outputs were then scored and averaged together.

Results

The aggregate readability of online esophageal dilation was found to be 9.2, corresponding to a ninth-grade reading level. This average was found based on 38 unique, non-duplicated websites evaluated.

Conclusions

The information currently available on the internet regarding esophageal dilation is considered to be at a difficult reading level for an average patient. There remains a significant amount of development required in the domain of information accessibility to enhance the patient comprehension of invasive procedures they are poised to undergo. It is imperative to refine the articulation of complex procedures further to prepare patients for forthcoming medical procedures.

DOI

10.7759/cureus.47080

Publication Date

10-15-2023

Keywords

esophageal dysmotility, esophageal stricture, upper gi endoscopy, esophageal dilation, click-through rate, online information, readability, health literacy

ISSN

2168-8184

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