Steven E. Roskos|Amy J. Keenum|Lindsay M. Newman|Lorraine S. Wallace
Literacy Demands and Formatting Characteristics of Opioid Contracts in Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Management
University of Tennessee at Knoxville|University of Tennessee at Knoxville|University of Tennessee at Knoxville|University of Tennessee at Knoxville
chronic nonmalignant pain affects significant number adults many requiring opioid medications manage symptoms although content typical opioid contracts ocs explored studies examined literacy demands formatting characteristics ocs currently used throughout united states evaluated 162 englishlanguage ocs submitted us current american pain society members residing united states ocs evaluated reading grade level formatting characteristics mean readability ocs grade level 138 13 range 1017 whereas average text point size 110 14 range 616 active voice used exclusively almost half ocs n 79 488 ocs contained sophisticated medical language multisyllable nonmedical terms vocabulary used typical everyday conversation overall ocs reviewed presented information much high reading grade level formatting characteristics probably would make documents difficult average patient fully comprehendthis study indicates mismatch reading demands ocs actual health literacy skills american adults accordingly developing ocs cognizant actual literacy abilities patient population design evaluate ocs accordingly