Assessing the readability, quality and accuracy of online health information for patients with low anterior resection syndrome following surgery for rectal cancer

Garfinkle, Richard; Wong-Chong, Nathalie; Petrucci, Andrea; Sylla, Patricia; Wexner, Steven D.; Bhatnagar, Sahir; Morin, Nancy; Boutros, Marylise

doi:10.1111/codi.14548

Cited by 47 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Previous studies have assessed the quality and readability of health information available online for various patient groups (Alsoghier, Ni Riordain, Fedele, & Porter, ; De Man et al, ; Garfinkle et al, ; Lee et al, ; San Giorgi, Groot, & Dikkers, ). Similar to the findings of this study, these studies have reported a lack of good quality health information available online.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition guidance for cancer patients and survivors—A review of the websites of Irish healthcare and charitable organisations and cancer centres

et al. 2020

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Objective To determine availability of nutrition information for cancer patients and survivors from Irish healthcare organisations, cancer charity and support groups and assess its quality and readability. Design Cross‐sectional. Setting The National Health Service Executive websites were searched, as were the sites of the ten largest cancer charities/support groups identified through the Benefacts website. An additional internet search was conducted to ensure no large organisations/support groups were missed (February 2019). Quality of nutrition content was assessed using an evidence‐based checklist and readability assessed using two validated formulas. Results Thirty‐two websites were identified, five contained nutrition information for cancer patients (15.6%), and three for cancer survivors (9.3%). The quality of the nutrition content ranged from 19.5 to 29/40 (mean ± SD, 23.2 ± 3.2; median = 21, interquartile range (IQR) = 7). There was a lack of practical strategies for implementation. Only 40% of material had an acceptable readability level (sixth–seventh grade level). Readability scores (mean ± SD) were 68.5 ± 6.0 for Flesch Reading Ease Score and 7.8 ± 1.1 for Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level Score. Conclusion There is limited nutrition information on Irish health and cancer websites and in particular very few tailored to cancer survivors. Irish health and cancer organisations should consider providing nutrition information that is easily accessible to all.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition guidance for cancer patients and survivors—A review of the websites of Irish healthcare and charitable organisations and cancer centres

et al. 2020

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“…Preoperative screening tools to predict LARS are rarely used and information given to patients is often insufficient [ 207 ]. Information dedicated to patients and relatives on websites of colorectal clinics about LARS is lacking important content and material is too complex to understand [ 208 ]. Patients experience a lack of supportive care after surgery for functional complaints and do not know who to counsel [ 209 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimising functional outcomes in rectal cancer surgery

Nocera¹,

Angehrn²,

Flüe³

et al. 2020

Langenbecks Arch Surg

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Background By improved surgical technique such as total mesorectal excision (TME), multimodal treatment and advances in imaging survival and an increased rate of sphincter preservation have been achieved in rectal cancer surgery. Minimal-invasive approaches such as laparoscopic, robotic and transanal-TME (ta-TME) enhance recovery after surgery. Nevertheless, disorders of bowel, anorectal and urogenital function are still common and need attention. Purpose This review aims at exploring the causes of dysfunction after anterior resection (AR) and the accordingly preventive strategies. Furthermore, the indication for low AR in the light of functional outcome is discussed. The last therapeutic strategies to deal with bowel, anorectal, and urogenital disorders are depicted. Conclusion Functional disorders after rectal cancer surgery are frequent and underestimated. More evidence is needed to define an indication for non-operative management or local excision as alternatives to AR. The decision for restorative resection should be made in consideration of the relevant risk factors for dysfunction. In the case of restoration, a side-to-end anastomosis should be the preferred anastomotic technique. Further high-evidence clinical studies are required to clarify the benefit of intraoperative neuromonitoring. While the function of ta-TME seems not to be superior to laparoscopy, case-control studies suggest the benefits of robotic TME mainly in terms of preservation of the urogenital function. Low AR syndrome is treated by stool regulation, pelvic floor therapy, and transanal irrigation. There is good evidence for sacral nerve modulation for incontinence after low AR.

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“…Online information may allow patients to better inform themselves on this highly sensitive subject; however, the information may not always be reliable, since the quality of content is typically not monitored [7]. Additionally, patient materials are rarely written at the American Medical Association-recommended sixth-grade reading level [8].…”

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confidence: 99%

The quality, suitability, content and readability of online health‐related information regarding sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery

et al. 2021

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Aim Patients are not well informed about sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery and often turn to the Internet for information. The purpose of this study was to assess online information for patients on sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. Methods An online search of Google, Yahoo and Bing was performed using specific (e.g., rectal cancer surgery and vaginal pain) and general (e.g., rectal cancer surgery and sex) search terms. Inclusion criteria were websites in English, designed for patients, and including content regarding sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. Websites were assessed for readability (nine standardized tests), quality (DISCERN tool), suitability (Suitability Assessment of Materials tool), and content. Results Of 5040 websites identified, 99 unique websites met inclusion criteria. Three (3%) websites fulfilled the American Medical Association recommendation of a 6th‐grade reading level. Using the DISCERN instrument, two (2%) websites were assigned good/excellent quality, nineteen (19%) referenced their sources of information, and thirty‐one (31%) fully discussed the impact of sexual dysfunction on quality of life. Using the SAM instrument, three (3%) websites were classified as highly suitable for rectal cancer patients, sixty‐five (66%) were adequate, and thirty‐one (31%) were inadequate. With regards to content, nine (9%) websites fully discussed the impact of sexual dysfunction on patients partners and fifty‐one (52%) websites did not cover prognosis. Conclusion Online health information available to patients on sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery is suboptimal. Websites are not suitable, lack important content, and are written at too complex a reading level for patients.

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Assessing the readability, quality and accuracy of online health information for patients with low anterior resection syndrome following surgery for rectal cancer

Cited by 47 publications

References 32 publications

Nutrition guidance for cancer patients and survivors—A review of the websites of Irish healthcare and charitable organisations and cancer centres

Nutrition guidance for cancer patients and survivors—A review of the websites of Irish healthcare and charitable organisations and cancer centres

Optimising functional outcomes in rectal cancer surgery

The quality, suitability, content and readability of online health‐related information regarding sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery

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