How informed is consent? Understanding of pictorial and verbal probability information by medical inpatients
Open Access
- 1 September 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Postgraduate Medical Journal
- Vol. 78 (923) , 543-544
- https://doi.org/10.1136/pmj.78.923.543
Abstract
Understanding probability information about treatment risks and benefits is a vital component of patients’ decision making capacity. This study demonstrates extensive misunderstanding of verbal descriptions of probability by medical inpatients of all ages, questioning the extent of their capacity for giving informed consent. Pictorial descriptions of probability were well understood, suggesting their adoption into clinical practice.Keywords
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