Use of standardized visual aids improves informed consent for appendectomy in children: A randomized control trial.

Background: Obtaining informed consent for surgical procedures is often compromised by patient and family educational background, complexity of the forms, and language barriers. We developed and tested a visual aid in order to improve the informed consent process for families of children with appendicitis.

Methods: Families were randomized to receive either a standard surgical consent or a standard consent plus visual aid.