Geriatric Quick Consult      Decision-making Capacity      Do #6

Explain the procedure in terms that the patient and family can understand

Knowledge	Action
A common error in requesting informed consent is to explain the procedure using overly technical language. In almost all situations, it is wise to use very simple explanations of any procedure. One must avoid patronizing a well-educated patient by presenting an over-simplified explanation. However, many well-educated people have a limited understanding of medical and biological science.	Tailor your medical explanations to the needs of your patient.
It is always wise to check as you proceed through the dialogue to make sure that the explanation is being understood and to ask if there are questions. You can simply ask if the listeners understand what you are saying and whether there are any questions. Usually, this will also enable you to assess the ability of the patient or family to comprehend the information that is being presented and move to a more sophisticated presentation if necessary. If you err, err on the side of making your explanation overly simple, to make sure that you are well understood. It is easier to ask forgiveness for appearing patronizing than for giving poor informed consent.	Ask questions to find out your listener's level of understanding and respond in a way that is appropriate for him/her. This could mean speaking in a non-technical way or for another patient, not over-simplifying. Make sure your patient is able to give informed consent, erring on the side of simplification rather than complexity.