Optimizing genetics online resources for diverse readers.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Clear and accurate genetic information should be available to health-care consumers at an individualized level of comprehension. The objective of this study is to evaluate the complexity of common online resources and to simplify text content using automated text processing tools.

Methods

We extracted all text from Genetics Home Reference and MedlinePlus in bulk and analyzed content using natural language processing. We applied custom tools to improve the readability and compared readability before and after text optimization.

Results

Commonly used educational materials were more complex than the recommended reading level for the general public. Genetic health information entries from Genetics Home Reference (n = 1279) were written at a median 13.0 grade level

SUBMITTER: Chang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7056640 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature