Author(s)
Priyanka Singh, BA
Emily Keenan, BA
Katherine Lauritsen, BS MBS
Austin R. Swisher, BS
Wesley Chan, BS
Christina H. Fang, MD
Affiliation(s)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School;
Abstract:
Introduction:
The internet is a major source for health-related information for many patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the information available online for empty nose syndrome in terms of suitability for patients.
Methods: The phrase “empty nose syndrome” was entered into a Google search engine, and the first 55 websites identified were screened. The readability of each website was assessed using validated tools, such as Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Score, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) Index, Coleman-Liau Index, and the Automated Readability Index. The websites were then divided into two groups: Group 1 included medical and academic media, and Group 2 included news and commercial media. Student T-tests were used to determine statistical differences between the groups based on the type of media.
Results: Of the 55 websites screened, 52 met inclusion criteria. The mean readability scores corresponded to “difficult,” with reading categories between high school and college grade levels. Group 1 included 28 websites and Group 2 included 24 websites. The mean Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease score was 39.1 (±13.7) in Group 1 versus 51.7 (±9.6) in Group 2 (p<0.001), corresponding to a college and high school reading level, respectively. Group 1 had statistically significant higher readability (i.e., higher estimated grade level) in all the variables tested: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (12.3 vs 10.7; p<0.05), Gunning Fog Score (15.1 vs 13.4; p<0.05), SMOG Index (11.2 vs 9.9; p<0.05), Coleman-Liau Index (15.2 vs 12.7; p<0.001), and Automated Readability Index (12.5 vs 10.8; p<0.05).
Conclusion: The online information on empty nose syndrome is set at a high readability level, and otolaryngologists should assist their patients with understanding empty nose syndrome and accessing information on the condition.