Evaluation of the quality and readability of web-based patient information on colorectal cancer surgery

Abstract

Abstract Objective Effective patient education is crucial for empowering patients with colorectal cancer to make informed decisions about surgery. This study evaluated the quality and readability of web-based patient information on colorectal cancer surgery. Results The leading search engines Google, Yahoo!, and Bing were searched using the keyword “colorectal cancer surgery”. The top 100 results from each platform were screened further based on predetermined criteria. A total of 39 websites were analysed. Our findings showed that patient information websites had low readability, with mean Flesch‒Kincaid Reading Ease scores and Gunning Fog Index scores of 51.5 (range: 30.7–70.1) and 9.37 (range: 5.8–13.6), respectively, both exceeding the recommended reading level for health resources. Although the mean DISCERN score (50.4) indicated “fair” reliability and quality, many websites lacked key information. Few websites provided references (35.9%, n = 14) or were reviewed by experts (n = 15, 28.5%). Websites providing information on the benefits and risks of surgery were also scarce (7.7% and 30.8%, respectively). Less than 30% provided sufficient information on post-treatment quality of life and stoma care. Among the top 10 DISCERN-rated websites, only one had the target readability level, and only 3 appeared within the first 10 search engine results.