We have identified efforts by research ers to investigate interventions which seek to improve information delivery and consideration of information to enhance  informed consent .
The interventions used consistently improve patient knowledge , an important prerequisite for informed consent .
This is encouraging and these measures could be widely employed although we are not able to say with confidence which types of interventions are preferable .
Our results should be interpreted with caution due to the high levels of heterogeneity associated with many of the main analyses although we believe there is broad evidence of beneficial outcomes for patients with the pragmatic application of interventions .
BACKGROUND Achieving informed consent is a core clinical procedure and is required before any surgical or invasive procedure is undertaken .
However , it is a complex process which requires patients be provided with information which they can underst and and retain , opportunity to consider their options , and to be able to express their opinions and ask questions .
There is evidence that at present some patients undergo procedures without informed consent being achieved .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on patients , clinicians and the healthcare system of interventions to promote informed consent for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive healthcare treatments and procedures .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Informed consent is an important ethical and practical part of patient care .
[Structure and quality of German-language gastroscopy information forms from the patients' viewpoint].
UNLABELLED Information about procedure and risks is prerequisite for obtaining informed consent for endoscopy . This prospect i ve and r and omized investigation evaluated ( i ) the extent of patients ' information needs and ( ii ) the formal quality ( language , ease of underst and ing , length , figures etc . ) of three information forms concerning upper CI-endoscopy issued in 1995 by DIOmed ( 1 ) , perimed compliance ( 2 ) , and PERIMED-spitta ( 3 ) as judged by the patients . ( iii ) Outcome quality was investigated as the influence of these forms on underst and ing why and how endoscopy was performed as well as the influence on feeling threatened . Furthermore patients ' anxiety was assessed by using Spielberger 's state-trait anxiety inventory ( STAI ) .  218 patients completed the investigation ( n = 73 ; 70 ; 75 , respectively ) . 60 % cl aim ed the need for a detailed explanation of the planned endoscopy and 48 % said they wanted exhaustive informations about potential complications and risks . The three forms ( length 819 , 771 , 1,245 words ) were entirely read by 87 % , 89 % and 82 % of the patients . Positive language , adequate length ( 69 % , 69 % , 71 % ) and adequate layout were evenly attributed to the three forms . A high impact of the figures for underst and ing was found more frequently ( 48 % , 46 % , 35 % ) with ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) and language war regarded easy by 57 % , 54 % and 44 % , respectively . Flesh 's reading ease score , however , proved a sophisticated niveau of language with all three forms . The indication for endoscopy ( 37 % , 49 % , 56 % ) and explanation of performance ( 43 % , 43 % , 63 % ) was superior with ( 3 ) . This form also reduced anxiety as judged by STAI-means , overall STAI-changes , and relevant changes ( > or = 5 points ) . Form ( 2 ) increased patients ' anxiety . CONCLUSION While the formal quality of all information forms is appreciated by patients both their reading ease score and figures should be improved . A significant reduction of anxiety can be achieved by appropriate selection of the information material
We have identified efforts by research ers to investigate interventions which seek to improve information delivery and consideration of information to enhance  informed consent .
The interventions used consistently improve patient knowledge , an important prerequisite for informed consent .
This is encouraging and these measures could be widely employed although we are not able to say with confidence which types of interventions are preferable .
Our results should be interpreted with caution due to the high levels of heterogeneity associated with many of the main analyses although we believe there is broad evidence of beneficial outcomes for patients with the pragmatic application of interventions .
BACKGROUND Achieving informed consent is a core clinical procedure and is required before any surgical or invasive procedure is undertaken .
However , it is a complex process which requires patients be provided with information which they can underst and and retain , opportunity to consider their options , and to be able to express their opinions and ask questions .
There is evidence that at present some patients undergo procedures without informed consent being achieved .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on patients , clinicians and the healthcare system of interventions to promote informed consent for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive healthcare treatments and procedures .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Informed consent is an important ethical and practical part of patient care .