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. 2025 Sep 18.
doi: 10.1111/odi.70098. Online ahead of print.

Patient-Centred Web-Based Information on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Quality and Readability

Briana Jansen  1 , Stella Mullane  1 , Bryan Tan  1 , Bobby Joseph  1 , Mohammed Junaid  2 , Ramesh Balasubramaniam  1   3 , Agnieszka Frydrych  1   3 , Omar Kujan  1   3
Affiliations

Patient-Centred Web-Based Information on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Quality and Readability

Briana Jansen et al. Oral Dis. .

Abstract

Introduction: The internet is a widely used source of health information for patients with head and neck cancer. However, the quality and readability of online content remain inconsistent. This study evaluated the usefulness of web-based resources by assessing their quality and readability.

Methods: Searches were conducted using Google, Bing, and Yahoo! with nine common anatomical terms related to head and neck cancer. The first 50 results from each search engine were screened, and eligible websites were evaluated for quality using the DISCERN instrument by three independent reviewers. Readability was assessed using the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level (FKRGL) and the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied.

Results: A total of 285 websites met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 46% were rated as poor quality (DISCERN score = 1). The median FKRGL was 8.6, and the median FRES was 55.7, both indicating reading levels above recommended thresholds for patient education materials.

Conclusions: Online information for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is often of low quality and too complex for the average reader. Improved, accessible, and reliable web-based resources are needed to support patient understanding and informed healthcare decisions.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; readability; search engines; web‐based information.

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