Informed consent for total hip arthroplasty: does a written information sheet improve recall by patients?
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain whether a written information sheet is acceptable to patients and improves recall of the consent interview.


METHODS
Prospective randomised controlled study using questionnaires, comparing a group of patients given information in a written sheet with appropriate explanation to a group given verbal information alone.


METHODS
A specialist orthopaedic surgery unit.


METHODS
The test group was 126 patients undergoing revision or primary total hip arthroplasty; 65 patients were given information verbally, 61 patients were given written information.


METHODS
Patients' recall of information given, tested with a questionnaire completed on admission (mean of 18 days later).


RESULTS
The patients receiving written information scored significantly higher (48% correct answers) than the patients receiving verbal information (38% correct answers).


CONCLUSIONS
Written information sheets contribute to the process of informed consent. As patients' recall of information is generally poor, the sheets may also be useful medicolegally, as a permanent record of what was discussed.
Langdon
I J
IJ
University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK. Ilana.Langdon@ruh-bath.swest.nhs.uk
Hardin
R
R
Learmonth
I D
ID
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires