PMID: 8999210Oct 26, 1996Paper

The legibility of written informed consent forms

Medicina clínica
P Simón LordaL Concheiro Carro

Abstract

The generation of the use of informed consent forms makes necessary to grant their legibility for patients. Up to now, we didn't have in Spain a suitable yardstick for evaluating the reading levels. A sample of 10 texts of diverse procedence, 8 journals and 16 informed consent forms were collected. They were analyzed using the Grammatik 6.0 utility of the word processor Word Perfect 6.1, and four parameters were obtained: number of words, number of sentences, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Sentence Complexity. In addition an Integrated Readability Level (LEGIN) was calculated. Flesch Level and Sentence Complexity give a suitable and complementary analysis of readability, which is enhanced by the LEGIN. The acceptably reading level is obtained when the Flesch-Kincaid Level is above 10, the Sentence Complexity is under 40 and, overcoat, the LEGIN is above 70. Just 5 of the 16 consent forms had the adequate LEGIN level. Another 5 had the Flesch correct levels and 7 the adequate Sentence Complexity. The Grammatik utility of the word processor Word Perfect 6.1 is a suitable yardstick to analyze the readability, but is necessary to complete the analysis with the LEGIN, to render more sensibility and especificity. It's mandatory to en...Continue Reading

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