Patients' memory for medical information

Dr Kessel (May 2003 JRSM1) discusses the very poor recall of medical information by patients after a consultation. In our ophthalmology department, the majority of patients are elderly. They are provided with both verbal and written information regarding their proposed cataract surgery on at least two occasions before surgery—at the time of listing for surgery and at preoperative assessment. Consent is obtained at the time of listing. At the time of admission they usually know the name of the proposed surgery and its beneficial effects but they seldom recollect information about its limitations or complications. In these circumstances, one begins to wonder whether the consent obtained is truly informed and whether it remains valid. With written information, poor vision perhaps contributes to poor recall.