Patients often don't comprehend informed consent forms, even when the reading level is not a problem.

 

References: 

Davis, T.C., et al. 1998. Informed consent for clinical trials: A comparative study of standard versus simplified forms. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 90(May 6):668.

Hopper, K.D., et al. 1998. The readability of currently used surgical/procedure consent forms in the United States. Surgery 123(May):496.

 

Sources:

Terry C. Davis
Louisiana State University Medical Center
1501 Kings Highway
Shreveport, LA 71130