Secrets of Great Doctors\nAn insider's guide to getting the best medical treatment
New technology, simpler forms and better dialogue are seen as key to ensuring patient comprehension and preventing harm.
Reports on patients' inability to understand health information point up the need for clear physician communication.
Interactive tutorials help educate patients while decreasing the liability risk for physicians.
Researchers say this lack of information can be dangerous, but health literacy advocates say not all knowledge is equal.
The complexity of health care today means many patients may not understand vital directions.
Informed consent is more than simply getting a patient to sign a written consent form. It is a process of communication between a patient and physician that results in the patient's authorization or agreement to undergo a specific medical intervention.