Alan R. Tait|Terri Voepel?Lewis|Shobha Malviya
Presenting Research Information to Children: A Tale of Two Methods
Michigan Medicine|Michigan Medicine|Michigan Medicine
brief background research information children often presented manner difficult understand designed study therefore examine effect improved readability processability written study information childrens understanding methods onehundredninety children aged 717 yr hospitalized surgical procedure medical treatment randomized receive study information using either standard form modified form improved readability processability children interviewed determine understanding eight study elements including risks benefits protocol etc responses scored two independent assessors results children randomized modified form significantly greater overall understanding information greater understanding protocol benefits p 005 modified form particularly effective improving younger childrens 710 yr understanding material multivariate analysis identified several predictors understanding including modified format age reading ability degree child read information shown forms 813 children preferred modified form stating friendlier easier read use larger font size pictures particularly popular conclusions results study suggest modification study information better fit ages meet reading cognitive abilities children results improved understanding acceptance material implications many children poor understanding assent information research study suggests use informational form considers age reading abilities child participant results improved understanding acceptance information