Readability and Quality Assessment of Online Materials for Syndactyly Release

Background: Syndactyly is one of the most common congenital hand malformations, involving an abnormal fusion of digits and with treatment varying according to its complexity. The internet has become a primary source of information for both families and patients with congenital hand anomalies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both the readability and quality of available web content for syndactyly, using validated instruments. Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted searches for "Syndactyly" using three of the largest online search engines: Bing, Google, and Yahoo. The top 10 websites for each search engine, along with any webpage within one click of the parent website, were analyzed. Readability was assessed using seven established quantitative tests. The quality of the web pages was analyzed using the Discern questionnaire and handbook. Results: A total of 15 websites were included in the analysis. The average readability of all websites was equivalent to comprehension at a grade 11.3 level. The average Flesch reading ease score was 49.3 out of 100, which is considered difficult to read. Quality was assessed using Discern, a brief questionnaire consisting of 16 questions with five points attributed per question. The mean quality score using Discern was 33.3 points out of a maximum of 80 points. Conclusions: Online materials pertaining to the treatment of syndactyly far exceed the recommended sixth-grade reading level, and lack in terms of quality and comprehensiveness of information. Health care professionals should be cognizant of the paucity of available online information and provide patients with more appropriate resources.