Angiography Consent—Communicating Risk Versus Benefit

Angiography Consent—Communicating Risk Versus Benefit
Reynolds, G. Armstrong, R. Newcombe, T. Wijohn
Heart Lung and Circulation, July 2023; 32(3)
Abstract
Background and Aim
To produce health health-literate patient resources takes a village! It requires many iterations, opinions and feedback from writers, experts and, most importantly, consumers. This poster focuses on the health literacy input, breaking down medical terminology and complex words, seeking consumer feedback and adding images, to enable wider comprehension whilst developing a resource aimed at patient education prior to the consent process for invasive coronary angiography.
Context
The proportion of adults in Australia and New Zealand with reading at levels one or two is similar, at around 44%, meaning they are likely to struggle to understand sufficient health information to make truly informed choices; further compounded in indigenous people and residents with English as a second language. Our Cardiology team at Te Whatu Ora-Waitemata and from the University of Auckland noted a gap at our hospitals; patients had limited access to cardiology staff in wards outside the Cardiology department and largely had no pre-procedural information prior to arriving at the cath lab and being consented.
Progress
We are developing an accessible resource for people awaiting angiography as in-patients, to be educated concerning the process and risks involved for this procedure from the referral time, to enable informed and meaningful consent. The team researched patient understanding of statistical presentation of risk; this will also be available at this meeting.