Abstract:

Objective To construct a readability evaluation index system for online health information. Methods Based on the literature,we initially constructed an evaluation index system for the readability of online health information. The Delphi technique was used to conduct three rounds of consultation with 20 experts from the health administration,universities,scientific research institutions. The index weight was determined by the analytic hierarchy process. Results The effective response rates of three rounds of Delphi consultation were 100%(20/20)、90%(18/20) and 89%(16/18),and the experts’ authority coefficients were 0.860,0.855,0.872,respectively. The coordination coefficients of the first-level and second-level indexes in the third round were 0.359 and 0.231(P<0.001 for all). The final readability evaluation index system for online health information included 7 first-level indexes which included literal expression,numerical application,content design,actionability,organizational and layout,typographic design,visual aids,and 33 second-level indexes. Conclusion The readability evaluation index system for online health information constructed in the study is scientific and reliable,which provides scientific reference for health education practitioners to evaluate the readability of online health information and to select and design highly readable online health information.

Key words: Consumer Health Information, Comprehension, Quality Indicators,Health Care, Delphi Technique, Analytic hierarchy process