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Presenting research risks and benefits to parents: does format matter?
Alan R Tait1, Terri Voepel-Lewis, Brian J Zikmund-Fisher
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. atait@umich.ed
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|August 6, 2010
Summary
Presenting research risks and benefits in tables or pictographs significantly improves parent understanding compared to standard text. This method enhances comprehension, especially for parents with lower literacy and numeracy skills.
Area of Science:
- Informed Consent
- Health Literacy
- Risk Communication
Background:
- Many parents and research participants struggle to understand the risks and benefits of research participation.
- The way research risks and benefits are presented can significantly impact participant comprehension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of different presentation formats (text, tables, pictographs) on parents' understanding of research risks and benefits.
- To determine if graphical or tabular formats improve comprehension more than standard text.
Main Methods:
- 408 parents of children undergoing elective surgery were randomized to receive study information via text, tables, or pictographs.
- Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their understanding of the presented risks and benefits.
- Parental literacy and numeracy skills were measured.
Main Results:
- Parents receiving information in tables or pictographs demonstrated significantly better gist and verbatim understanding than those receiving text.
- Tabular and graphical formats improved understanding among parents with low literacy and numeracy skills.
Conclusions:
- The communication method for risk/benefit information is crucial for patient and parent comprehension.
- Tables and pictographs offer a practical approach to enhance understanding of risk/benefit statistics for diverse populations.
- Improving risk/benefit communication is essential for informed consent in research and treatment.
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