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Assessing the readability and quality of online information on Bell's palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2022

H Raja Open the ORCID record for H Raja [Opens in a new window]  and
N Fitzpatrick Open the ORCID record for N Fitzpatrick [Opens in a new window]
H Raja
Affiliation:
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
N Fitzpatrick*
Affiliation:
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr N Fitzpatrick, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, UK E-mail: niall.fitzpatrick2@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the readability and quality of current online information on Bell's palsy.

Method

A Google search using the terms ‘Bell's palsy’ and ‘facial palsy’ was performed separately. The first three pages of results were analysed. Readability was assessed using Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning-Fog Index and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. Quality was assessed using the Discern tool. Spearman's correlation between quality and readability was calculated.

Results

A total of 31 websites met the inclusion criteria. The mean Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning Fox Index and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook scores were 52.45 (95 per cent confidence interval = 47.01–57.86), 10.50 (95 per cent confidence interval = 9.42–11.58), 12.76 (95 per cent confidence interval = 11.68–13.85) and 9.36 (95 per cent confidence interval = 8.52–10.20), respectively. The average Discern score was 44 (95 per cent confidence interval = 40.88–47.12). A negligible correlation was noted between the Discern and Flesch Reading Ease Score (rs = −0.05, p = 0.80).

Conclusion

Online information on Bell's palsy is generally of fair quality but is written above the recommended reading age guidance in the UK.

Keywords

Bell's PalsyFacial palsyOtolaryngologyConsumer Health InformationData AccuracyReadingComprehensionCovid-19
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 137 , Issue 10 , October 2023 , pp. 1130 - 1134
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr N Fitzpatrick takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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