» Articles » PMID: 25329168

Informed Consent: How Much Awareness is There?

Overview
Journal PLoS One
Date 2014 Oct 21
PMID 25329168
Citations 15
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Improving the informed consent process in clinical research is of constant concern to regulatory authorities in the field and presents a challenge for both the specialists and patients involved. Informed consent is a process that should adequately match the complexity of clinical research. In analyzing the behaviour of 68 patients during the informed consent process related to the clinical research performed at Neomed Clinical Center in Brasov, we found that many patients do not ask any questions (35.3%). From those who do, part of the questions (20,6%) referred to general aspects (addressed the form but not the gist) of the clinical trial, some (72,8%) referred to specific aspects of the clinical trial they will attend and others (6,6%) unrelated to the clinical trial. These results suggest a lack of interest, awareness, and understanding of the information presented in the informed consent form. The possible underlying causes of this attitude and its bureaucratic, ethic, and legal implications are discussed.

Citing Articles

Researchers experience and views on participants' comprehension of informed consent in clinical trials in Malawi: a descriptive qualitative study.

Kazembe D, Woldeamanuel Y, Abay S BMC Med Ethics. 2024; 25(1):101.

PMID: 39334067 PMC: 11438391. DOI: 10.1186/s12910-024-01100-5.


Informed consent practice and associated factors among healthcare professionals in public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia, 2023: a mixed-method study.

Bolado G, Ataro B, Feleke M, Gadabo C, Kebamo T, Minuta W BMC Nurs. 2024; 23(1):77.

PMID: 38287367 PMC: 10826175. DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01748-9.


Practical Guidelines for Standardised Resolution of Important Protocol Deviations in Clinical Trials Conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Zemsi A, Nekame L, Mohammed N, Batchilly E, Dabira E, Sillah S Ther Innov Regul Sci. 2024; 58(3):395-403.

PMID: 38285370 PMC: 11043146. DOI: 10.1007/s43441-023-00604-3.


Alternative Means of Informed Consent in Cardiology: Strategies and Effectiveness in a Group of Italian Patients.

Testoni I, Ronconi L, Lampis F, Iacona E, Zammarrelli J, Pompele S Behav Sci (Basel). 2023; 13(5).

PMID: 37232667 PMC: 10215354. DOI: 10.3390/bs13050430.


Evaluation of two communication tools, slideshow and theater, to improve participants' understanding of a clinical trial in the informed consent procedure on Pemba Island, Tanzania.

Palmeirim M, Mohammed U, Ross A, Ame S, Ali S, Keiser J PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021; 15(5):e0009409.

PMID: 33989324 PMC: 8153490. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009409.


References
1.
Joffe S, Cook E, Cleary P, Clark J, Weeks J . Quality of informed consent: a new measure of understanding among research subjects. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2001; 93(2):139-47. DOI: 10.1093/jnci/93.2.139. View

2.
Flory J, Emanuel E . Interventions to improve research participants' understanding in informed consent for research: a systematic review. JAMA. 2004; 292(13):1593-601. DOI: 10.1001/jama.292.13.1593. View

3.
Sharp S . Consent documents for oncology trials: does anybody read these things?. Am J Clin Oncol. 2004; 27(6):570-5. DOI: 10.1097/01.coc.0000135925.83221.b3. View

4.
Howard J, Demets D . How informed is informed consent? The BHAT experience. Control Clin Trials. 1981; 2(4):287-303. DOI: 10.1016/0197-2456(81)90019-2. View

5.
Wright P . Criteria and ingredients for successful patient information. J Audiov Media Med. 2003; 26(1):6-10. DOI: 10.1080/0140511031000091211. View