Readability, suitability and comprehensibility in patient education materials for Swedish patients with colorectal cancer undergoing elective surgery: a mixed method design

Assessment of electronic patient education materials for adolescent bariatric surgery candidates: An environment scan

Objective

Adolescents who opt for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) will use the internet to learn about the procedure. The objective of this study is to assess the suitability of electronic patient education materials (ePEM) of North American centers that perform adolescent bariatric surgery.

Methods

Canadian and American bariatric centers that perform adolescent MBS were identified from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program and Google web-based searches. Suitability of ePEM for the adolescent readership was evaluated using the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM).

Results

Sixty-five centers were evaluated from June to July 2020 with 41% citing adolescent specific material. Six percent of the ePEM were evaluated as 'not suitable', 69% were evaluated as 'adequate', and 25% were evaluated as 'superior'.

Conclusion

Adequate ePEM scoring was obtained, but centers had little resources tailored to adolescent patients. Further research is needed to evaluate all the resources provided to adolescents (i.e., resources provided by the health team) to ensure the tools are appropriate for the adolescent readership.

Innovation

This environmental scan provided insights to ePEM available for adolescents considering MBS.

Assessing the Readability of Online Health Information for Colonoscopy - Analysis of Articles in 22 European Languages

Patients often search on the Internet information about different medical conditions and procedures. This study aimed to evaluate online health information on colonoscopy, focusing on quantity and comprehensibility of internet resources dedicated to the colonoscopy. This information could be used by European Union (EU) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening providers to address patient's unfilled educational needs, fear of colonoscopy, and other barriers that deter from CRC screening. The term "colonoscopy" translated into 22 official EU languages was searched using the Google search engine. For each translation, generated list of websites was assessed with Google Translate. The first 50 websites in each language were assessed for suitability. Records in other languages were excluded. Included websites were free, focused on patient education, and did not have password. Readability assessments were performed with Lix score. A total of 588 websites in Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, and Swedish were evaluated. The overall mean Lix score was 56 ± 8 and was classified as very hard to comprehend. There were significant differences in mean Lix scores across the included languages (P<.001). There was not significant correlation (R2 = 0.1, P = 0.142) between Lix score and number of search hits. Although there was a wealth of online patient information on colonoscopy, the comprehensibility of the available information is low. Physician guidance to reliable resources could increase patient's willingness to undergo a screening colonoscopy.

Women's experience of the health information process involving a digital information tool before commencing radiation therapy for breast cancer: a deductive interview study

BACKGROUND

Individuals undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently request information before, throughout and after the treatment as a means to reduce distress. Nevertheless, the provision of information to meet individuals needs from their level of health literacy is often overlooked. Thus, individuals information needs are often unmet, leading to reports of discontent. Internet and digital information technology has significantly augmented the available information and changed the way in which persons accesses and comprehends information. As health information is no longer explicitly obtained from healthcare professionals, it is essential to examine the sequences of the health information process in general, and in relation to health literacy. This paper reports on qualitative interviews, targeting women diagnosed with breast cancer who were given access to a health information technology tool, Digi-Do, before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment.

METHODS

A qualitative research design, inspired by the integrated health literacy model, was chosen to enable critical reflection by the participating women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women with access to a digital information tool, named Digi-Do, in addition to receiving standard information (oral and written) before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment. A deductive thematic analysis process was conducted.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate how knowledge, competence, and motivation influence women's experience of the health information process. Three main themes were found: Meeting interactive and personal needs by engaging with health information; Critical recognition of sources of information; and Capability to communicate comprehended health information. The findings reflect the women's experience of the four competencies: to access, understand, appraise, and apply, essential elements of the health information process.

CONCLUSIONS

We can conclude that there is a need for tailored digital information tools, such as the Digi-Do, to enable iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiation therapy process. The Digi-Do can be seen as a valuable complement to the interpersonal communication with health care professionals, facilitating a better understanding, and enabling iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiotherapy treatment. This enhances a sense of preparedness before treatment starts.

Participatory Development and Preliminary Psychometric Properties of the User-Friendly Patient Information Material Checklist (UPIM-Check)

The aims of this study were (1) to design a user-friendly instrument to assess and optimize patient information material (PIM), (2) to develop an English version, and (3) to test its psychometric properties. The instrument was needed to optimize the top-down developed PIM of the psycho-oncological care programme isPO. First, a literature-based PIM checklist was developed by a team of patient representatives, cancer care experts and professional researchers. Next, the checklist's reliability and validity were analysed by having cancer survivors assess the initial and optimized version of the isPO-leaflet. The User-friendly Patient Information Material Checklist (UPIM-Check), developed participatorily, was found to be effective for evaluating PIM. It uses a traffic light scale, and suggestions for improvement can be given for each criterion. Its reliability appeared to be excellent (α = 0.927). The optimized leaflet was rated significantly better than the initial one. The UPIM-Check is a reliable and valid instrument, which enables end-users (e.g., patients) to assess and optimize the quality of PIM according to scientific criteria and the needs of end-users. A bottom-up approach was essential for developing and validating the UPIM-Check. End-users constantly contributed with their specific knowledge. Thus, their position as co-researchers was significantly strengthened.

Integrating perspectives of patients, healthcare professionals, system developers and academics in the co-design of a digital information tool

Background

Patients diagnosed with cancer who are due to commence radiotherapy, often, despite the provision of a considerable amount of information, report a range of unmet information needs about the treatment process. Factors such as inadequate provision of information, or the stressful situation of having to deal with information about unfamiliar things, may influence the patient’s ability to comprehend the information. There is a need to further advance the format in which such information is presented. The composition of information should be tailored according to the patient’s individual needs and style of learning.

Method and findings

The PD methodology is frequently used when a technology designed artefact is the desired result of the process. This research is descriptive of its kind and provides a transparent description of the co-design process used to develop an innovative digital information tool employing PD methodology where several stakeholders participated as co-designers. Involving different stakeholders in the process in line with recommended PD activities enabled us to develop a digital information tool that has the potential to be relevant and user-friendly for the ultimate consumer.

Conclusions

Facilitating collaboration, structured PD activities can help researchers, healthcare professionals and patients to co-design patient information that meets the end users’ needs. Furthermore, it can enhance the rigor of the process, ensure the relevance of the information, and finally have a potential to employ a positive effect on the reach of the related digital information tool.

Effects of Evidence-Based Continuing Care Bundle on Health Outcomes in Rectal Cancer Patients With Temporary Stomas: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The patients with temporary stomas after anterior resection for rectal cancer may experience significant impact on their health outcomes, and hence continuing care is necessary and important for these patients. However, the effects of some single continuing care interventions remain unclear. Continuing care bundle may be an effective approach to address this uncertainty.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an evidence-based continuing care bundle on selected health outcomes in patients with temporary stomas after anterior resection for rectal cancer.

METHODS

This was a multicenter randomized controlled trial. A total of 124 patients with temporary stomas after anterior resection for rectal cancer were recruited from 4 general tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou, China, and were randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention group. Both groups received usual care, whereas the intervention group additionally received evidence-based continuing care bundle. Self-efficacy, quality of life, and stoma-related complications were collected at baseline and 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Satisfaction and outcomes of stoma reversal were collected at the end of the observation.

RESULTS

The intervention group had significantly improved the self-efficacy (F = 11.88, P = .001), quality of life (F = 17.99, P < .001) over time, satisfaction (t = 4.08, P < .001), and outcomes of stoma reversal (χ2 = 5.93, P = .015) and reduced the incidence of complications (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based continuing care bundle can be an effective method to improve the health outcomes among these patients.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

By using the evidence-based continuing care bundle, nurses can help these patients improve their health outcomes in stoma-specific nursing.

Perspectives of patients with chronic pain about a pain science education video

Purpose: Patients have responded in variable ways to pain science education about the psychosocial correlates of pain. To improve the effectiveness of pain education approaches, this study qualitatively explored participants' perceptions of and responses to pain science education.Methods: We conducted a qualitative content analysis of interviews with fifteen, adult patients (73.3% female) who had recently attended a first visit to a chronic pain clinic and watched a pain science educational video.Results: Participants thought it was important to improve their and healthcare providers' understanding of their pain. They viewed the video favorably, learned information from it, and thought it could feasibly facilitate communication with their healthcare providers, but, for many participants, the video either did not answer their questions and/or raised more questions. Participants' responses to the video included negative and positive emotions and were influenced by their need for confirmation that their pain was real and personal relevance of the pain science content.Conclusion: Study results support the feasibility and value of delivering pain science education via video and increase our understanding of patients' perceptions of and responses to pain science education. The video's triggering of emotional responses warrants additional research.

Developing Strategies for Targeted Improvement of Perioperative Education for Postbariatric Surgery Body-Contouring Patients

BACKGROUND

The quality of perioperative patient education impacts surgical outcomes, patient experiences, and resources needed to address patient concerns and unplanned visits. We examined patient inquiries and education materials to assess the quality of perioperative education and identify areas of targeted improvement for postbariatric surgery body-contouring procedures.

METHODS

We examined 100 consecutive postbariatric procedures at an academic center. Themes of patient-generated calls, e-mails, and electronic medical record portal messages during the perioperative period were identified via qualitative analysis. Understandability and actionability of perioperative educational resources were assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT).

RESULTS

Among 212 communications identified, 167 (79%) were postoperative. Common themes were concerns regarding the surgical site (38%), medications (10%), and activity restrictions (10%). One hundred thirty inquiries were resolved through patient re-education (57%), but 36 (16%) required in-person evaluation including 4 unplanned emergency department visits and 3 readmissions for surgical-site concerns. The PEMAT scores for institutional materials were fair for understandability (69%) and actionability (60%). American Society of Plastic Surgeons materials were more understandable (84%) but less actionable (40%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient queries can be leveraged as a source of qualitative data to identify gaps in perioperative education. High-yield topics, such as education regarding the surgical site and medications, can be targeted for quality improvement through better communication and potentially reduce the number of unnecessary visits. Using the PEMAT, we also identified how directly the education materials can be revised. Improving perioperative education can promote mutual understanding between patients and surgeons, better outcomes, and efficient resource utilization.

Preparedness for colorectal cancer surgery and recovery through a person-centred information and communication intervention - A quasi-experimental longitudinal design

To meet patients’ information and communication needs over time in order to improve their recovery is particularly challenging for patients undergoing cancer surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether an intervention with a person-centred approach to information and communication for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery can improve the patients’ preparedness for surgery, discharge and recovery during six months following diagnosis and initial treatment. The intervention components involving a novel written interactive patient education material and person-centred communication was based on critical analysis of conventional information and communication for these patients. During 2014–2016, 488 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled in a quasi-experimental longitudinal study. In three hospitals, first a conventional care group (n = 250) was recruited, then the intervention was introduced, and finally the intervention group was recruited (n = 238). Patients’ trajectories of preparedness for surgery and recovery (Preparedness for Colorectal Cancer Surgery Questionnaire—PCSQ) health related quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) and distress (NCCS Distress Thermometer) were evaluated based on self-reported data at five time points, from pre-surgery to 6 months. Length of hospital stay and patients’ behavior in seeking health care pre- and post-surgery were extracted from patient records. Longitudinal structural equation models were used to test the hypothesized effects over time. Statistically significant positive effects were detected for two of the four PCSQ domains (patients searching for and making use of information, and making sense of the recovery) and for the role functioning domain of the EORTC QLQ-C30. Patients in the intervention group were also more likely to contact their assigned cancer “contact nurse” (a.k.a. nurse navigator) instead of contacting a nurse on duty at the ward or visiting the emergency department. In conclusion, the overall hypothesis was not confirmed. Further research is recommended on written and oral support tools to facilitate person-centred communication.

Too Dense and Too Detailed: Evaluation of the Health Literacy Attributes of an Informed Consent Document

The US government recently updated the Common Rule, a set of federal regulations to ensure the ethical conduct of human subjects research. The new regulations require that consent documents provide information that is clear and concise enough to enable truly informed consent. This study explores potential American Indian research participants' understanding and perceptions of an example consent document, focusing on possible improvements to better serve the requirements of the revised Common Rule. Participants completed a survey that collected demographic data and measured health literacy, numeracy, and comprehension of the example document. Next, they participated in focus groups to answer open-ended questions regarding their views on the example document. We calculated mean scores and frequencies of response to analyze quantitative survey data and performed a qualitative thematic analysis of focus group transcripts. Results demonstrated that American Indian participants with relatively strong health literacy skills clearly understood key elements of the consent document, including the purpose of signing it, confidentiality, compensation, and whom to contact for questions. However, they were overwhelmed by details on research procedures and were concerned about the document's layout. To make consent documents more readily comprehensible, participants recommended the addition of headings, bullets, graphics, and relevant pictures. They also recommended a two-step consent process, comprising a short introduction to the research project followed by a longer explanation of procedures. These results illustrate the potential advantages of community engagement in drafting consent materials. Health researchers would likely benefit from community recommendations like the ones we elicited as they design consent documents adherent to the revised Common Rule.

Patient Perspectives to Inform a Health Literacy Educational Program: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

Patient-centred care is tailored to the needs of patients and is necessary for better health outcomes, especially for individuals with limited health literacy (LHL). However, its implementation remains challenging. The key to effectively address patient-centred care is to include perspectives of patients with LHL within the curricula of (future) healthcare providers (HCP). This systematic review aimed to explore and synthesize evidence on the needs, experiences and preferences of patients with LHL and to inform an existing educational framework. We searched three databases: PsychInfo, Medline and Cinahl, and extracted 798 articles. One-hundred and three articles met the inclusion criteria. After data extraction and thematic synthesis, key themes were identified. Patients with LHL and chronic diseases encounter multiple problems in the care process, which are often related to a lack of person-centeredness. Patient perspectives were categorized into four key themes: (1) Support system; (2) Patient self-management; (3) Capacities of HCPs; (4) Barriers in healthcare systems. "Cultural sensitivity" and "eHealth" were identified as recurring themes. A set of learning outcomes for (future) HCPs was developed based on our findings. The perspectives of patients with LHL provided valuable input for a comprehensive and person-centred educational framework that can enhance the relevance and quality of education for (future) HCPs, and contribute to better person-centred care for patients with LHL.

Improving Patient Education Materials: A Practical Algorithm from Development to Validation

Objectives

To generate an algorithm for systematic development and validation of written patient information in accordance with well-established and validated psychometric and statistical methods that can be applied to different fields of medicine.

Methods

A literature search was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar. Methods were selected and combined to an algorithm. Feasibility and practicability is tested by the development of patient education materials on "ureteral stenting".

Results

The algorithm includes 4 study phases. After internal audit expert, readability of the first version is objectified using the Flesch Reading Ease formula. This draft is tested by a few patients performing semi-structured interviews using "The think aloud method" by Someren et al. Content validity is evaluated by a written survey by external consultants in accordance with Lawshe's "Quantitative approach to content validity". The final leaflet is developed at a consensus meeting and validated by patients based on the Consumer Information Rating Form. The new algorithm could be tested by the development of patient education materials on "ureteral stenting" as a test run.

Conclusion

We developed an algorithm for systematic development and validation of written patient information in accordance with well-established, validated psychometric and statistical methods. This algorithm can be applied to arbitrary fields of medicine.

Sources of information used by patients prior to elective surgery: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To describe the range and nature of available research regarding sources of information that patients access to inform their decisions about elective surgery.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed studies published until February 2019 from the six scientific literature databases were searched and included in the study: Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE and SCOPUS. Web searches for grey literature were conducted in Google, South Australia Department of Health, Commonwealth Department of Health (Australia) and My Aged Care from the Department of Social Services (Australia).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies with a focus on elective surgery information sources oriented to patients were eligible for inclusion. Only studies written in English were sought and no publication date or study restrictions were applied.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Included literature was described by National Health and Medical Council hierarchy of evidence, and data were extracted on country and year of publication, type of literature, who provided it and any information on end users. Information sources were categorised by type and how information was presented.

RESULTS

A pool of 1039 articles was reduced to 26 after screening for duplicates and non-relevant studies. Face-to-face exchanges were the most likely source of information prior to elective surgery (59.3%), printed information (55.6%) followed by e-learning (51.9%) and multimedia (14.8%). The face-to-face category included information provided by the physician/general practitioners/specialists, and family and friends. Printed information included brochures and pamphlets, e-learning consisted of internet sites or videos and the use of multimedia included different mixed media format.

CONCLUSION

There is considerable variability regarding the types of information patients use in their decision to undergo elective surgery. The most common source of health information (face-to-face interaction with medical personnel) raises the question that the information provided could be incomplete and/or biased, and dependent on what their health provider knew or chose to tell them.

Quality of web pages about second-trimester medical abortion: A cross-sectional study of readability, comprehensiveness, and transparency

AIMS

To investigate the readability, comprehensiveness and transparency of web pages about medical abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study of Swedish web pages.

METHODS

Six systematic searches were performed in Google during January 2017. The first 10 hits of each search were screened, resulting in 46 included Swedish web pages. The web pages were analyzed with readability index (LIX) to investigate readability, inductive manifest content analysis to investigate comprehensiveness, and Journal of the Medical Association benchmarks to investigate transparency.

RESULTS

Median LIX was 29.0 and the largest proportion had LIX 31-40 (N = 17), indicating moderate readability. Visual components were observed in 13 websites. Content analysis resulted in 12 categories illustrating comprehensiveness, but eight of these were only included in ≤50% web pages. With regard to transparency, 29 (63%) adhered to no benchmark, 15 (33%) adhered to one benchmark, and 2 (4%) adhered to two benchmarks. Most web pages were written or reviewed by laypersons (N = 25) and health professionals (N = 11).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that web pages about medical abortion have moderate readability, varied comprehensiveness and poor transparency.

IMPACT

Health professionals need to acknowledge the risk of contact with web-based information about poor quality. There is a need for research that aims to increase the chances that patients encounter high-quality web-based information about medical abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Challenges When Translating and Culturally Adapting a Measurement Instrument: The Suitability and Comprehensibility of Materials (SAM+CAM)

There is evidence that low suitability and comprehensibility of printed education materials (PEMs) affects patients’ and relatives’ ability to read and comprehend information. However, few instruments measure the suitability of written information, and none exist in the Swedish language. The aim was to describe the translation and adaptation of the Suitability and Comprehensibility of Materials (SAM+CAM) instrument into the Swedish language and health care context and to explore challenges related to this process. The SAM+CAM instrument was translated and culturally adapted in five steps: forward translation, synthesis, back translation, expert review, and pretests. Differences were found when translating and culturally adapting the SAM+CAM instrument in the areas of semantic, idiomatic, and experiences. Participants revealed several clarity inconsistencies between items. They also identified linguistic differences and unfamiliar wording; they found that the instrument was perplexing to use and lacked knowledge regarding the specific health care areas in the examined PEMs. The cultural perspective is a significant factor that influences the usability of PEMs. Therefore, expert groups of participants are useful when adapting instruments to different cultures. The Swedish SAM+CAM instrument requires experienced and highly qualified raters.

The Quality of Patient Information Booklets for Cancer Patients-an Evaluation of Free Accessible Material in German Language

According to the information-seeking behaviors of patients, booklets which can be downloaded from the Internet for free are an important source of information notably for patients with cancer. This study investigated whether information booklets for patients with cancer available at German websites are in accordance with the formal and content criteria of evidence-based information. We compared and compiled both content and formal criteria by matching different national and international standards for written patient information using a merged instrument. A catalog with a total of 16 items within 4 categories (quality of the publication, quality of information, quality of information representation, and transparency) was created. Patient information booklets for the most frequent tumor types were collected from the Internet. A total of 52 different patient booklets were downloaded and assessed. Overall, no booklet fulfilled all criteria. The quality of the publications was evaluated with an average value of 1.67 while the quality of the information had a mean value of 1.45, and the quality of information presentation had a similar rating (1.39). The transparency criteria were evaluated as lowest with an average of 1.07. In summary, German booklets for cancer patients have some shortcomings concerning formal and content criteria for evidence-based patient information. The applied requirement catalog is suitable for wide use and may help in quality assurance of health information. It may be used as part of an obligatory external evaluation, which could help improving the quality of health information.

Exploration of dynamics in a complex person-centred intervention process based on health professionals' perspectives

BACKGROUND

The assessment and evaluation of practical and sustainable development of health care has become a major focus of investigation in health services research. A key challenge for researchers as well as decision-makers in health care is to understand mechanisms influencing how complex interventions work and become embedded in practice, which is significant for both evaluation and later implementation. In this study, we explored nurses' and surgeons' perspectives on performing and participating in a complex multi-centre person-centred intervention process that aimed to support patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer to feel prepared for surgery, discharge and recovery.

METHOD

Data consisted of retrospective interviews with 20 professionals after the intervention, supplemented with prospective conversational data and field notes from workshops and follow-up meetings (n = 51). The data were analysed to construct patterns in line with interpretive description.

RESULTS

Although the participants highly valued components of the intervention, the results reveal influencing mechanisms underlying the functioning of the intervention, including multiple objectives, unclear mandates and competing professional logics. The results also reveal variations in processing the intervention focused on differences in using and talking about intervention components.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates there are significant areas of ambiguity in understanding how theory-based complex clinical interventions work and in how interventions are socially constructed and co-created by professionals' experiences, assumptions about own professional practice, contextual conditions and the researchers' intentions. This process evaluation reveals insights into reasons for success or failure and contextual aspects associated with variations in outcomes. Thus, there is a need for further interpretive inquiry, and not only descriptive studies, of the multifaceted characters of complex clinical interventions and how the intervention components are actually shaped in constantly shifting contexts.

Constructing post-surgical discharge instructions through a Delphi consensus methodology

OBJECTIVE

Patient education materials are a crucial part of physician-patient communication. We hypothesize that available discharge instructions are difficult to read and fail to address necessary topics. Our objective is to evaluate readability and content of surgical discharge instructions using thyroidectomy to develop standardized discharge materials.

METHODS

Thyroidectomy discharge materials were analyzed for readability and assessed for content. Fifteen endocrine surgeons participated in a modified Delphi consensus panel to select necessary topics. Using readability best practices, we created standardized discharge instructions which included all selected topics.

RESULTS

The panel evaluated 40 topics, selected 23, deemed 4 inappropriate, consolidated 5, and did not reach consensus on 8 topics after 4 rounds. The evaluated instructions' reading levels ranged from grade 6.5 to 13.2; none contained all consensus topics.

CONCLUSION

Current post surgical thyroidectomy discharge instructions are more difficult to read than recommended by literacy standards and omit consensus warning signs of major complications. Our easy-to-read discharge instructions cover pertinent topics and may enhance patient education. Delphi methodology is useful for developing post-surgical instructions.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Patient education materials need appropriate readability levels and content. We recommend the Delphi method to select content using consensus expert opinion whenever higher level data is lacking.

Posicionamento do paciente para raquianestesia: construção e validação de álbum seriado

Resumo Objetivo: Construir e validar álbum seriado educativo para gestantes que serão submetidas à cirurgia cesariana, acerca do posicionamento durante a raquianestesia. Métodos: Estudo metodológico realizado com a elaboração do álbum seriado, validação com 22 enfermeiros de centro cirúrgico, 22 anestesistas e 3 juízes da área de comunicação e posterior avaliação do material por gestantes. Utilizou-se o Level Content Validity Index superior a 0,8 para a validação de conteúdo e o teste binomial para verificação da proporção de concordância. Resultados: O álbum seriado possui 15 páginas, contém orientações sobre vantagens, desvantagens e posições para a raquianestesia. A média do Level Content Validity Index foi de 0,94 pelos enfermeiros, 0,93 pelos anestesistas e 0,97 pelos juízes da área de comunicação. Houve unanimidade pelas gestantes na aprovação do material. Conclusão: O álbum seriado foi construído e validado e pode ser utilizado pela enfermagem junto a gestantes que serão submetidas à cesariana sob raquianestesia. Abstract Objective: Construct and validate an educational flipchart for pregnant women who are to be submitted to a cesarean section on positioning during spinal anesthesia.

The Experience of Extended Bowel Resection in Individuals With a High Metachronous Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To ascertain individual experiences of extended bowel resection as treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) in those with a high metachronous CRC risk, including the self-reported adequacy of information received at different time points of treatment and recovery.
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RESEARCH APPROACH

Qualitative.
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SETTING

Participants were recruited through the Australasian Colorectal Cancer Family Registry and two hospitals in Melbourne, Australia.
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PARTICIPANTS

18 individuals with a high metachronous CRC risk who had an extended bowel resection from 6-12 months ago.
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METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

Semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed thematically.
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FINDINGS

In most cases, the treating surgeon decided on the best option regarding surgical treatment. Participants felt well informed about the surgical procedure. Information related to surgical outcomes, recovery, and lifestyle adjustment from surgery was not always adequate. Many participants described ongoing worry about developing another cancer. 
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CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing an extended resection to reduce metachronous CRC risk require detailed information delivered at more than one time point and relating to several different aspects of the surgical procedure and its outcomes.
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INTERPRETATION

An increased emphasis should be given to the provision of patient information on surgical outcomes, recovery, and lifestyle adjustment. Colorectal nurses could provide support for some of the reported unmet needs.

Longitudinal person-centered measurement: A psychometric evaluation of the Preparedness for Colorectal Cancer Surgery Questionnaire (PCSQ)

OBJECTIVE

The Preparedness for Colorectal Cancer Surgery Questionnaire (PCSQ) was previously developed in Swedish to assess patients' knowledge seeking and sense making capabilities. Aiming to measure preparedness at different phases during the pre-surgery and recovery period, the objectives were to (a) evaluate psychometric properties of the longitudinal PCSQ, (b) establish measurement invariance over time, and (c) describe change in preparedness.

METHODS

Elective colorectal cancer surgery patients completed a questionnaire at five time points from pre-surgery until 6 months post-surgery (n=250). The longitudinal PCSQ consists of 23 items measuring four domains: Searching for and making use of information, Understanding and involvement in care, Making sense of recovery, Support and access to care. Psychometric analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis, were applied to evaluate internal consistency reliability and ascertain invariance over time of the measurement structure and parameters.

RESULTS

The psychometric analyses revealed good fit of the measurement models, high internal consistency reliability (≥.94), and support for configural, metric and scalar measurement invariance of the four PCSQ domains. Patients reported lower levels of preparedness after surgery than pre-surgery.

CONCLUSION

The adapted version of the PCSQ can be used for longitudinal analyses.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The measurement of preparedness is important for evaluating person-centred outcomes before and during recovery from colorectal cancer surgery.

Understanding online health information: Evaluation, tools, and strategies

OBJECTIVE

Considering the status of the Internet as a prominent source of health information, assessing online health material has become a central issue in patient education. We describe the strategies available to evaluate the characteristics of online health information, including readability, emotional content, understandability, usability.

METHODS

Popular tools used in assessment of readability, emotional content and comprehensibility of online health information were reviewed. Tools designed to evaluate both printed and online material were considered.

RESULTS

Readability tools are widely used in online health material evaluation and are highly covariant. Assessment of emotional content of online health-related communications via sentiment analysis tools is becoming more popular. Understandability and usability tools have been developed specifically for health-related material, but each tool has important limitations and has been tested on a limited number of health issues.

CONCLUSION

Despite the availability of numerous assessment tools, their overall reliability differs between readability (high) and understandability (low). Approaches combining multiple assessment tools and involving both quantitative and qualitative observations would optimize assessment strategies.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Effective assessment of online health information should rely on mixed strategies combining quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Assessment tools should be selected according to their functional properties and compatibility with target material.

Primeiros socorros na escola: construção e validação de cartilha educativa para professores

Resumo Objetivo Construir e validar uma cartilha educativa para professores da educação infantil e ensino fundamental I sobre primeiros socorros na escola. Métodos Estudo metodológico realizado a partir da construção do material educativo, com posterior validação por 22 juízes e avaliação de 22 professores. A validação de conteúdo foi estabelecida a partir do Level Content Validity Index maior que 0,8. Para proporção de concordância entre os juízes foi o utilizado o teste binomial e considerado p igual ou maior que 0,8. Resultados A cartilha aborda os primeiros socorros que devem ser realizados em 15 agravos e possui 44 páginas. Todos os itens foram avaliados como pertinentes e o Level Content Validity Index possuiu média de 0,96. A cartilha foi aprovada pelos professores com índice de concordância 1,0. Conclusão A cartilha foi construída e validada e pode ser utilizada pela enfermagem na educação em saúde com professores sobre primeiros socorros na escola.

Suitability Assessment of Printed Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant Women and Parents of Infants and Toddlers From 7 European Countries

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate selected European printed dietary guidelines for pregnant women and parents of infants and toddlers using the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) method.

METHODS

A descriptive study to determine the suitability of 14 printed dietary guidelines from 7 European countries based on deductive quantitative analyses.

RESULTS

Materials varied greatly in format and content: 35.7% of materials were rated superior and 64.3% were rated adequate according to the overall SAM score for patient education material. None of the materials were scored not suitable. Among the categories, the highest average scores were for layout and typography and the lowest average scores were for cultural appropriateness and learning stimulation and motivation. Interrater reliability ranged from Cohen's kappa of 0.37 to 0.62 (mean, 0.41), indicating fair to moderate agreement among the 3 investigators.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Overall, the suitability of the assessed printed dietary guidelines was adequate. Based on the SAM methodology, printed dietary guidelines may increase in suitability by emphasizing aspects related to health literacy and accommodating the needs of different food cultures within a population.

Education material for heart failure patients: what works and what does not?

Patient education is an important element of care, but evidence with regard to education material is not always apparent, as it is intertwined with educational strategies as components of heart failure management programs. Difficulties have arisen in determining the effectiveness of particular education strategies, as multiple strategies are commonly bundled together and packaged within research protocols. To further complicate this issue, the bundles are diverse, lack precision in describing their components, and report different outcomes. Despite these difficulties, clinicians can utilise a number of proven commonalities to deliver effective education: assessment of learning needs and style, verbal interaction with a healthcare professional, and a selection of multimedia patient education materials.

Disclosing discourses: biomedical and hospitality discourses in patient education materials

Patient education materials have the potential to strengthen the health literacy of patients. Previous studies indicate that readability and suitability may be improved. The aim of this study was to explore and analyze discourses inherent in patient education materials since analysis of discourses could illuminate values and norms inherent in them. Clinics in Sweden that provided colorectal cancer surgery allowed access to written information and 'welcome letters' sent to patients. The material was analysed by means of discourse analysis, embedded in Derrida's approach of deconstruction. The analysis revealed a biomedical discourse and a hospitality discourse. In the biomedical discourse, the subject position of the personnel was interpreted as the messenger of medical information while that of the patients as the carrier of diagnoses and recipients of biomedical information. In the hospitality discourse, the subject position of the personnel was interpreted as hosts who invite and welcome the patients as guests. The study highlights the need to eliminate paternalism and fosters a critical reflective stance among professionals regarding power and paternalism inherent in health care communication.