Readability of Invasive Procedure Consent Forms

• DOI: 10.1111/cts.12364
• Publication Date: 2015-12-17T15:40:40Z
• Authors: Adam E. M. Eltorai; Syed S. Naqvi; Soha Ghanian; Craig P. Eberson; Arnold‐Peter C. W...; Christopher T. Born; Alan H. Daniels
• Keywords: Grade level; Reading level

Abstract Background Informed consent is a pillar of ethical medicine which requires patients to fully comprehend relevant issues including the risks, benefits, and alternatives an intervention. Given average reading skill US adults at 8th grade level, American Medical Association (AMA) National Institutes Health (NIH) recommend patient information materials should not exceed 6th level. We hypothesized that text provided in invasive procedure forms would recommended readability guidelines for medical information. Materials methods To test this hypothesis, we gathered from all surgical inpatient hospitals state Rhode Island. For each form, analysis was measured with following measures: Flesch Reading Ease Formula, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, Fog Scale, SMOG Index, Coleman–Liau Automated Readability Linsear Write Formula. These scores were used calculate composite Text Consensus Level. Results Invasive found be written 15th level (i.e., third year college), significantly higher than adult ( p < 0.0001) AMA/NIH 0.0001). Conclusion have levels makes comprehension difficult or impossible many patients. Efforts improve procedural understanding regarding their healthcare decisions.