Simple, Patient-Friendly Informed Consent Process Increases Proportion of Patients Reading Form and Able to Describe Surgical Procedure

AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Simple, Patient-Friendly Informed Consent Process Increases Proportion of Patients Reading Form and Able to Describe Surgical Procedure

The purpose of this process is to promote patient understanding through the use of plain language principles and the "teach-back" method. The new form and consent process have increased the proportion of patients observed to be reading the form and who were able to describe their surgery in their own words, and enhanced patients' comfort level with asking questions. Anecdotal reports also suggest that patients, families, and nurses are satisfied with the enhanced process and form.