Journal of radiological science and technology (대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학)

Korean Society of Radiological Science (대한방사선과학회)
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Analysis of Readability of Text in English for Radiation Therapy for Foreigner Patient with Cancer in South Korea

외국인 암 환자를 위한 국내 방사선치료 영문 텍스트 가독성 분석

  • Dae-Gun, Kim (Department of Radiation Oncology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital) ;
  • Sungchul, Kim (Department of Health Science, Gachon University Graduate School)
  • 김대건 (순천향대학교부속 부천병원 방사선종양학과) ;
  • 김성철 (가천대학교 일반대학원 보건과학과)
  • Received : 2022.09.27
  • Accepted : 2022.11.28
  • Published : 2022.12.31
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Abstract

This study compared and analyzed with the United States(USA) to evaluated the level of readability of radiotherapy information (English text) provide to foreign patients with cancer by medical institutions in South Korea (KOR). A total of 20 the KOR and USA medical hospitals in 10 each provide information for radiation therapy technology were selected. The readability was comparatively analyzed a total of three aspects (lexical, syntactic, cohesion and readability) by using a Coh-Metrix on-line web program. In readability respect, the mean of the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) was lower in the KOR (8.3) than in the USA (23.2), Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL) was higher in the KOR than in the USA (14.2) indicating that KOR was less readable than the US (p<.05). In both KOR and USA, the reading level (literacy) of the English text for the radiation therapy was found to be higher than high school (FRE level 50 or lower). Therefore, text information in English for the radiation therapy to foreign patients with cancer should be lowered to elementary school level and read to improve the quality of medical services.

Keywords

References

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