Abstract: A method and apparatus for recorded information conveyance and comprehension are provided that include a Virtual Interactive Teaching and Learning (VITAL) Center. The VITAL Center provides an interactive patient education and informed consent process that increases patient comprehension using presentations that offer a baseline education about medical and surgical procedures including the associated risks, benefits and alternatives. The patient's comprehension of the material is confirmed throughout the presentation using summary questions focused on key information. The patient is able to record their own questions or concerns about the procedure while watching the presentation. After the presentation is finished, A healthcare professional reviews the patient questions upon completion of the presentation, and any information the patient did not understand is further explained at this time.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for presenting selected information to one or more individuals, and authenticating both the individual's receipt and the individual's comprehension of the information presented. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the methods and apparatus relating to the authenticating operation include methods and apparatus for visually and, optionally, otherwise recording the individual's responses to the information presented simultaneously with the presentation thereof. Preferably the authenticating operation further includes methods and apparatus for archiving, retrieving and observing in a correlated fashion both the information presented and the recorded individual's responses thereto.