Military by Lindsey Beaman
Readability of the consent form is one area of the informed consent process often overlooked by r... more Readability of the consent form is one area of the informed consent process often overlooked by researchers. The following assesses the readability levels of Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved consent forms located at a large military hospital. Data were obtained from 10 IRB-approved consent documents for research conducted at Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC). Grade-level standards were assessed using 3 readability scales. The mean reading level of the 3 readability formulas was 12.2. Both the IRB-provided template and the 3 readability scales suggest that the 10 consent documents analyzed were written at a reading level 3 to 5 grades higher than the suggested standard. Despite general guidance that forms be simplified to a 6th to 8th grade level, most consent forms are written at or above an 11 th grade reading level. There is a need for effective changes that will provide subjects with a consent form that is clear, concise and comprehensible.
Uploads
Military by Lindsey Beaman