Faculty Articles

Title

Readability of consumer-oriented geriatric depression information on the Internet

ISBN or ISSN

0731-7115

Publication Title

Clinical Gerontologist

Volume

29

Issue

4

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2006

First Page

17

Last Page

32

DOI Number

10.1300/J018v29n04_02

Abstract

Readability, or the ease with which written material is scanned and understood, is an important factor in the effectiveness of written communication. This study evaluated the readability of consumer-oriented information about geriatric depression on the Internet. The readability of material from 60 websites (e.g., the National Institute of Mental Health or www.nimh.nih.gov) was evaluated with standard readability indexes. The effects of type of search, type of site, and search engine on readability were assessed, and most sites were too difficult for most elders to read. Results show that consumers of geriatric depression information on the Internet may not be able to profit from it due to the low levels of readability of the material provided.

Disciplines

Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

Aged, Internet, health literacy, readability

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