An Experimental Test of Medical Disclosure and Consent Documentation: Assessing Patient Comprehension, Self-Efficacy, and Uncertainty

Effectively conveying risks and hazards in medical disclosure and informed consent documentation is a crucial type of communication. However, existing protocols typically do not meet the needs of patients or practitioners. In the present study, we advance a reconceptualization of obtaining written i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communication monographs 2014-04, Vol.81 (2), p.239-260
Main Authors: Donovan, Erin E., Crook, Brittani, Brown, Laura E., Pastorek, Angie E., Hall, Camille A., Mackert, Michael S., Stephens, Keri K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Disclosure
Health Literacy
Informed Consent
Interpersonal communication
Recall
Risk assessment
Uncertainty
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Summary:Effectively conveying risks and hazards in medical disclosure and informed consent documentation is a crucial type of communication. However, existing protocols typically do not meet the needs of patients or practitioners. In the present study, we advance a reconceptualization of obtaining written informed consent by analyzing it as a process of uncertainty management rather than a matter of document readability and recall. Results of this randomized trial indicated that patients who reviewed a simplified consent document reported greater comprehension of medico-legal terminology and lower uncertainty about the document, although they did not evince greater self-efficacy. Health literacy was a significant moderator of the relationship between consent form version and comprehension.
ISSN:0363-7751
1479-5787
DOI:10.1080/03637751.2013.876059