A joint effort: Evaluating the quality and readability of online resources relating to total hip arthroplasty.

Background: The internet serves as a major source of information for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, prior research has shown that online medical information often exceeds recommended readability levels, posing a barrier to patient comprehension. The average reading level in the United States is between 7th and 8th grade, while leading health organizations recommend that patient information not exceed a 6th-grade level. This study aims to evaluate the readability and quality of information available online regarding THA.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on Google, Bing, and Yahoo using the terms "total hip arthroplasty" and "hip replacement surgery," with the top 30 URLs from each search engine selected. Readability was assessed using three readability scores (Gunning FOG, Flesch-Kincaid Grade, and Flesch Reading Ease). Quality was evaluated based on HONcode certification and the JAMA benchmark criteria.

Results: Ninety webpages were included in the analysis. The mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade level was 9.5 ± 2.4, the mean Gunning FOG grade was 11.1 ± 3.0, and the mean Flesch Reading Ease score was 48.5 ± 13.8. Only 6 webpages were at or below a 6th-grade reading level. The mean JAMA score was 1.4 ± 1.3 out of 4, and 13 websites were HONcode accredited.

Conclusions: Online THA-related medical information is often too complex for the average patient, with inconsistent quality. This study assessed readability and credibility but did not evaluate medical accuracy or include hospital-based resources. Improving both readability and reliability is essential to enhance patient comprehension, support informed decision-making, and promote better health literacy.