Online Tonsillectomy Resources: Are Parents Getting Consistent and Readable Recommendations?

Abstract

Objective Parents frequently refer to information on the Internet to confirm or broaden their understanding of surgical procedures and to research postoperative care practices. Our study evaluated the readability, comprehensiveness, and consistency around online recommendations directed at parents of children undergoing tonsillectomy. Study Design A cross-sectional study design was employed. Setting Thirty English-language Internet websites. Subjects and Methods Three validated measures of readability were applied and content analysis was employed to evaluate the comprehensiveness of information in domains of perioperative education. Frequency effect sizes and percentile ranks were calculated to measure dispersion of recommendations across sites. Results The mean readability level of all sites was above a grade 10 level with fewer than half of the sites (n = 14, 47%) scoring at or below the eight-grade level. Provided information was often incomplete with a noted lack of psychosocial support and skills-training recommendations. Content analysis showed 67 unique recommendations spanning the full perioperative period. Most recommendations had low consensus, being reported in 5 or fewer sites (frequency effect size <16%). Conclusion Many online parent-focused resources do not meet readability recommendations, portray incomplete education about perioperative care and expectations, and provide recommendations with low levels of consensus. Up-to-date mapping of the research evidence around recommendations is needed as well as improved efforts to make online information easier to read.

Consulting Dr. Google: Quality of Online Resources About Tympanostomy Tube Placement

“…In an effort to include websites that were found using all three search terms, we only evaluated 10 sites. Although a previous study by Eysenbach and Köhler showed that consumers routinely only review a small number of the many websites listed in search results, limiting our study to 10 sites led to low statistical power. The Google search algorithm alters search results based on the type of device used to perform the search, personal search history, geographic location, and browser type.…”

“…There have been several studies in the otolaryngology literature evaluating online resources that have found wide heterogeneity in information regarding surgical procedures, including tonsillectomy, Zenker's diverticulum, and thyroidectomy . We seek to evaluate the online resources and educational materials available for the most commonly performed otolaryngologic surgery in children: TT placement.…”

“…4 When we educate patients and families about treatment risks, benefits, and alternatives, we facilitate patient-/family-centered care, shared decision making, and improved outcomes. [5][6][7] There have been several studies in the otolaryngology literature evaluating online resources that have found wide heterogeneity in information regarding surgical procedures, including tonsillectomy, [8][9][10] Zenker's diverticulum, 11 and thyroidectomy. 12 We seek to evaluate the online resources and educational materials available for the most commonly performed otolaryngologic surgery in children: TT placement.…”

Die Rolle des Internets für Gesundheitsinformationen in der Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde

“…Likewise applications in otorhinolaryngology are not yet reported. [212] FRES: Flesch Reading Ease Score; a: tonsillectomy AND parent; tonsillectomy AND children; tonsillectomy AND care; tonsillectomy AND "caring for your child"; tonsils AND surgery AND care; tonsillectomy AND "what to do"; tonsillectomy AND "parent education"; child AND tonsils AND removed; hospital AND tonsillectomy AND information; tonsil AND information AND surgery AND pediatric.…”

Evaluation of Parental Perspectives and Concerns About Pediatric Tonsillectomy in Social Media

“…Furthermore, a multicenter randomized controlled trial, the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Study, showed that sizable minority of children with obstructive sleep apnea have resolution of symptoms over time without surgery 7 . As such, the decision for surgery may be complex and multifaceted for the parent 8 , and they may seek information from external (e.g., online) sources to enhance their surgical decisions and knowledge 9 .…”