Readability levels of health education materials used in physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics
Özet
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the readability levels of health education materials used in the physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics. Methods: In the study, the numbers of sentences, words and syllables were identified in the first 100-word sections of the 44 brochures used in the physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics. Ateşman and Çetinkaya-Uzun formula were used to determine the readability levels of the brochures. Correlation of the readability scores obtained using the two evaluation methods was also analyzed. Results: Readability scores calculated with Ateşman and Çetinkaya-Uzun formula were 65.2±11.0 (95% BCa; 62.2-68.4), and 38.4± 5.8 (95% BCa; 36.9-40.2), respectively. There was a strong and positive correlation between the readability scores obtained using the two evaluation methods, (r=96.2, 95% BCa; 93.5-98.3). Using Ateşman classification approach, 30 brochures (68.2%) were leveling as hard and/or slightly hard-to-read. Thirty-four (77.3%) brochures had been prepared for the people who completed at least an 8-9 grade level of education. To be able to understand and explain the meaning of nine (20.5%) brochures, readers should have completed at least a 10-12 grade level of education. Conclusion: From the results of the study, we may speculate that the brochures used currently in the physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics cannot achieve intended benefits due to their hard-to-read nature. The readability check is necessary for any print material that is given to patients or his/her relatives.
