This study assessed the quality of written information about abortion methods provided by clinics in England and Wales. Forty-four sets of leaflets were collected. The average leaflet was found to provide only half the possible information about benefits, risks and general procedures. Only half of the leaflets were of standard readability and accessible by 83% of the British population. Therefore, it seems unlikely that most women in England and Wales are in a position to make an informed decision about abortion method.
Readability formulas are being increasingly used to measure the understandability of written information in clinical and health settings. This paper examines the most commonly used formulas (Dale-Chall Formula, Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Formula, Fog Index, Fry Readability Graph, and SMOG Grading). Their reliability and validity when used in health-related areas are discussed, and findings resulting from their use are described. These findings show that much of the material written for patients and clients, in the areas of informed consent, illnesses and their investigation and treatment, and lifestyle advice, is too difficult for many of them to understand. It is also concluded that increasing readability usually leads to improvement in understanding and occasionally in co-operation with treatment. Finally, methods for supplementing the information gained from readability formulas are described.
This second edition is throughly revised and corrected to take account of the many changes in the subject over the last 6 years, and has been enlarged by over 20per cent.