PEMs were readable at 11th–13th grade levels, while
MedlinePlus’ were readable at 14th–17th grade levels and
Micromedex’s were readable at an 11th grade level. For each
database, the percentage of PEMs above target readability,
median grade reading levels, and ranges are shown in
Table 2. In an analysis of average readability scores using
the Gunning Fog index, Micomedex’s PEMs were more
readable than MedlinePlus’ and EBSCO’s (p≤0.000). MedlinePlus’
PEMs were more readable than EBSCO’ PEMs
(p≤0.039). PEMs assessed by FKI scored at an average
grade reading level of 8.2—significantly lower than PEMs
assessed by GFI (9.4) and SMOG (9.8) (p≤0.000).
Eighteen out of 100 sampled disease or condition topics in
MedlinePlus’ PEMs database were designated as “Easy-ToRead”.
However, 72% of these 18 “Easy-To-Read” PEMs
were a full grade level above target readability by the
measure of at least one readability index.