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Looking at research consent forms through a participant-centered lens: the PRISM readability toolkit
Jessica R Ridpath1, Cheryl J Wiese, Sarah M Greene
1Group Health Center for Health Studies, 1730 Minor Avenue, Suite 1600, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. ridpath.j@ghc.org
American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP
|July 16, 2009
Summary
Researchers often struggle to communicate complex study information in plain language, impacting participant understanding. The PRISM Readability Toolkit offers free resources to improve consent forms and study materials for better comprehension.
Area of Science:
- Health literacy
- Clinical research communication
Background:
- Lay language communication is underdeveloped among researchers.
- Poor readability of research consent forms hinders participant understanding of study procedures and risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the Project to Review and Improve Study Materials (PRISM) and its PRISM Readability Toolkit.
- To provide strategies for creating readable, participant-centered study materials, focusing on consent forms.
Main Methods:
- The PRISM Readability Toolkit is based on plain language principles.
- It offers a flexible menu of tools including an editing checklist, examples, template language, and alternative words.
Main Results:
- The toolkit aims to improve the readability of research consent forms and other participant materials.
- It provides practical resources for researchers to enhance communication.
Conclusions:
- The PRISM Readability Toolkit is a free resource designed to improve participant-centered communication in research.
- Ongoing goals include testing the toolkit with diverse population groups to ensure effectiveness.
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