Do patients refusing transport remember descriptions of risks after initial advanced life support assessment?

Objective: To determine patient recall and understanding of instructions given to patients who refuse transport after initial paramedic assessment and medical treatment.

Methods: Following patient consent, a phone interview was completed for consecutive persons living in a large urban area for whom 9-1-1 was contacted but who subsequently refused transport after advanced life support (ALS) assessment. Subjects were asked about their recall of explained risks and benefits of transport, their understanding of those risks at the time of assessment, and subsequent use of medical care, including hospitalization.