The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an audit undertaken to assess patients’ understanding of orthopaedic terminology in consent forms.
Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire enquiring about their understanding of selected terms written routinely in orthopaedic consent forms.
The data confirm that the majority of patients lack an understanding of basic orthopaedic terminology. The results of the questionnaire suggest that common terms such as “infection” and “deep vein thrombosis” were only understood by three‐quarters of the study sample. Findings confirm that patients willingly sign consent forms without understanding the details of the procedures.
The review has resulted in a change in the perception of the consent process. Assumptions should not be made and a signed consent form does not necessarily imply that an informed consent has been obtained from the patient.
