Adam E.M. Eltorai|Syed S. Naqvi|Soha Ghanian|Craig P. Eberson|Arnold?Peter C. Weiss|Christopher T. Born|Alan H. Daniels
Readability of Invasive Procedure Consent Forms
Brown University|Providence College|Brown University|Providence College|Brown University|Providence College|Brown University|Providence College|Rhode Island Hospital|Providence College|Rhode Island Hospital|Brown University|Providence College|Brown University|Rhode Island Hospital|Brown University|Providence College|Rhode Island Hospital
abstract background informed consent pillar ethical medicine requires patients fully comprehend relevant issues including risks benefits alternatives intervention given average reading skill us adults 8th grade level american medical association ama national institutes health nih recommend patient information materials exceed 6th grade reading level hypothesized text provided invasive procedure consent forms would exceed recommended readability guidelines medical information materials methods test hypothesis gathered procedure consent forms surgical inpatient hospitals state rhode island consent form readability analysis measured following measures flesch reading ease formula fleschkincaid grade level fog scale smog index colemanliau index automated readability index linsear write formula readability scores used calculate composite text readability consensus grade level results invasive procedure consent forms found written average 15th grade level ie third year college significantly higher average us adult reading level 8th grade p lt 00001 amanih recommended readability guidelines patient materials 6th grade p lt 00001 conclusion invasive procedure consent forms readability levels makes comprehension difficult impossible many patients efforts improve readability procedural consent forms improve patient understanding regarding healthcare decisions