Science Communication 2015, Vol. 37(1) 89–117 © 2014 SAGE Publications Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1075547014558942 scx.sagepub.com Article Readability and Visuals in Medical Research Information Forms for Children and Adolescents Petronella Grootens-Wiegers 1 , Martine C. De Vries 2 , Tessa E. Vossen 1 , and Jos M. Van den Broek 1 Abstract Children are often-overlooked receivers of medical information, and little research addresses their information needs. However, young children are capable of understanding medical concepts, and they express the desire to be informed. This study addresses the quality of medical research information forms for children in the Netherlands, by assessing text readability and the role of visuals. Children’s reading books, nonfiction books, and textbooks were used as comparison. Seven focus groups were conducted to identify children’s preferences and needs for text and supporting visuals. We argue that the use of visuals is a powerful, but neglected, tool to improve medical information for minors. Keywords informed consent, medical research information form, child, visuals, readability 1 Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands 2 Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands Corresponding Author: Petronella Grootens-Wiegers, Department of Science Communication & Society, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, Netherlands. Email: p.grootens@umail.leidenuniv.nl 558942SCX XX X 10.1177/1075547014558942Science CommunicationGrootens-Wiegers et al. research-article 2014 at Universiteit Leiden \ LUMC on March 31, 2015 scx.sagepub.com Downloaded from