How Comprehensible is our Patient Information?

The authors aimed to assess quantity, readability and comprehensibility of patient information material on craniofacial disfigurements on websites of german hospitals with a department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery. In total, websites of n=83 departments where assessed for information on cleft lip palate, dysgnathia and craniosynostosis. Only 53,3 % of the searches where successful. The found information material was analyzed for its readability using a score consisting of four well-established readability formulas adjusted to german language ("Hohenheimer Veorstaendlichkeitsindex"). Readability of the found information material was poor. Selected texts where presented to a group of students (n=73), who were asked to rate comprehensibility using a well-established questionnaire for written information in german language ("Hamburger Verstaendlichkeitsmodell"). All analyses texts had deficits in simplicity and arrangement of information. Summing up, the authors recommend critical reevaluation and where necessary correction of presented patient information material online. Keywords: readability, comprehensibility, craniofacial disfigurements, informed consent