I'm not sure what "understandable way" you are talking about -- as a patient anyway. Every time I've been or taken a family member to see a doctor, I have to sign a multi-page consent agreement (which I read about as closely as the Terms of Use on a website). What's the point? Am I not going to sign it? No, I'm there because I need care. I don't read it, and neither does anyone else I've asked about it.
Does the doctor's admin indicate the general gist of the document and have you initial any important sections? This seems to be common now in the UK - I think because having people sign a document isn't valid unless they are aware of the content in at least general terms (I'm pretty sure this was tested in court).
Assumed consent of an ignorant party is effectively no consent at all.
