engleski

Readability of patient information on written informed consent papers: Case study from clinical hospitals in Zagreb, Croatia

Background Many studies on readability have shown that patient information is written at the reading level too high for the average population. It is particularly important for patients in hospitals when they are signing informed consent for certain diagnostic procedure and surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the reading level of patient to understand information on written informed consent used in clinical hospital in Croatian language. Methods The study was done in four clinical hospitals in Zagreb, Croatia. SMOG (Simple Measure Of Gobbledegook) formula, as one of the standard methodology to test the readability of written materials, was used. SMOG formula was adapted to the Croatian language. The adaptation was based on the results of the comparation between the core vocabularies of English, based on Brown Corpus and of Croatian language, based on the Croatian National Corpus. SMOG formula was applied on 34 different written information given to patients to be signed before diagnostic and/or surgical procedures. Results The obtained SMOG readability grades for patient information ranged from 11 to 14, with the mean of 12, 7. With reading ability of the population being below the years of school completed, we may estimate that at least 75% of the adult population in Croatia would not understand the information tested in this study. Conclusions The SMOG readability grades obtained in this study indicate to a very complex writing not adapted to the reading ability of the general population. Writers of patient information on written informed consent should be aware of the limited reading ability of patients, test materials with intended readers and adopt their materials. Key messages Adequate readability of written materials is important for documents which will guarantee the active role of patients in making health decisions. This should decrease the health inequalities and improve health communication and health literacy.

Informed consent ; Croatia ; Readability

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