The resource was not required to originate in the United States.
Websites that were included were associated with professional organizations, medical search utilization resources, hospitals and universities. The first five search pages were viewed with exclusion criteria applied. Google searches were performed for “gastroparesis”, “gastroparesis patient education material”, and “gastroparesis patient information”. Thereafter the medical terminology will be replaced to determine if any other changes are required to fulfill the recommended reading level for the average patient population. The goal of this study was to determine the readability of patient education materials on web resources for gastroparesis using 10 different scales.
Limited studies have been performed to enact change as per the recommendations. On numerous studies, online medical literature has been over the recommended reading level to appropriately inform the patient. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommended sixth to seventh grade level with avoidance of medical terminology and complex words with simple sentences. The writing construction should be written with short paragraphs and 1 - 2 syllable words. The American Medical Association (AMA) has recommended writing patient education material at a sixth grade level or below. This can be further illustrated with patient educational materials that have increasing presence online. Patient understanding of the disease and symptomatic treatment with lifestyle changes can greatly improve quality of life. Prokinetic medications and gastric electrical stimulation are possible symptomatic treatments with surgical interventions considered for refractory cases with inability to fulfill nutritional requirements. The condition requires consistent management with initial dietary modification that can help alleviate adverse effects on quality of life. Gastroparesis is a chronic condition of delayed gastric emptying without obstruction that is symptomatically characterized by nausea, vomiting, bloating and early satiety. The average adult reading level is eighth to ninth grade with one-fifth of the population able to read at the fifth grade reading level or below. Almost all patients prefer simple and easy to understand medical instructions. On numerous prior studies, healthcare materials to help guide and educate the patient have been written at an exceedingly difficult level than what has been recommended. Healthcare literacy is considered as a constellation of skills to function in a healthcare environment. Communication has been instilled in improving understanding including the use of plain and non-medical language to ensure comprehension. Patient education in long-term conditions has become a fundamental part of management.