Best Practices on Patient Education Materials in Hip Surgery Based on Learnings From Major Hip Centers and Societies
Authors: Parsa A, Prabhavalkar ON, Saeed S, Nerys-Figueroa J, Carbone A, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1093/jhps/hnae011
Journal: Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery, 2024
Objective
To assess the quality, readability, and accessibility of online patient education materials (PEMs) on hip surgery from major orthopedic organizations.
Methodology
Review and standardized evaluation of 69 PEMs (52 articles, 17 videos) from 11 leading hip surgery centers and societies.
Key Findings
- Written materials were rated “good” or better; 23% received “excellent” ratings.
- Average readability corresponded to a 10th-grade level.
- 60% of articles scored highly on accessibility criteria.
- Educational videos were found clear and useful.
Conclusion
Leading orthopedic organizations produce reliable, high-quality patient education resources that are generally accessible and understandable, supporting informed decision-making.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
- Incorporate these vetted PEMs into patient consultations to enhance understanding and engagement.
- Recognize the importance of readability—consider supplementing with simpler explanations or multimedia for lower literacy patients.
- Encourage patients to utilize these trusted resources for reinforcement outside the clinical setting.