Do patients participating in oncology clinical trials understand the informed consent form? A Brown University Oncology Research Group study.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 23-23
Author(s):  
Andrew Schumacher ◽  
Carolyn Bartley ◽  
Anne Kaplan ◽  
Benjamin Murphy ◽  
Howard Safran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Oncology Research ◽  
Consent Document ◽  
Oncology Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent Document

23 Background: The informed consent process is used to provide research participants information that includes the purpose and procedures of the research study, risks, benefits, potential alternatives and that participation is voluntary. The goal of informed consent to is to provide this information in language that is understandable to the research participant. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether research participants in adult hematology/oncology clinical trials understand the information presented during the informed consent process. Methods: Patients receiving active treatment on an oncology clinical trial that utilizes chemotherapy, radiation, targeted agents, biologic therapy or hormonal therapy were eligible to participate in this study. After informed consent was obtained, research participants are given a 14-question test. The questions evaluate whether patients understand the following elements on the informed consent related to their oncology treatment study: The purpose and procedures of the research study, risks, benefits, potential alternatives, research related injury compensation, study contact information, measures used to protect confidentiality, and that participation is voluntary. The possible answers to each question are disagree, unsure, and agree. Results: This study was initiated in June 2012. Eleven patients enrolled on this study within the first month. Participants include those on cooperative group studies, pharmaceutical industry trials and investigator initiated trials. The average length of the informed consent document exceeded 20 pages. An initial analysis of data is planned after the study has been open for six months. Conclusions: Informed consents are becoming increasingly lengthy and complex. Much of the language added is regulatory and legal in nature and used to protect the institutions conducting the research. This study will assess the readability of the informed consent and whether patients participating in oncology research trials understand the essential elements of the informed consent document. The first data analysis will be December 2012.

scholarly journals Parental perceptions of the informed consent process in pediatric oncology clinical trials

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne D Hastings ◽  
Natalie K Bradford ◽  
Liane R Lockwood ◽  
Robert S Ware ◽  
Jeanine Young
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Parental Perceptions ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
Oncology Clinical Trials

scholarly journals Assessment of Parents’/Guardians’ Initial Comprehension and 1-Day Recall of Elements of Informed Consent Within a Mozambican Study of Pediatric Bacteremia

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-257
Author(s):  
Ezequiel B. Ossemane ◽  
Troy D. Moon ◽  
Jahit Sacarlal ◽  
Esperança Sevene ◽  
Darlene Kenga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Study ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Voluntary Participation ◽  
Research Protocol ◽  
Full Understanding ◽  
Consent Document ◽  
Informed Consent Document ◽  
High Degree

Participants’ understanding of key elements of a research protocol is essential to their ethical enrollment in the study. Ongoing participation should be based on continued comprehension and consent, which presumes a high degree of recall. Many obstacles can prevent full understanding of information about the research protocol. This study’s aim was to evaluate the comprehension and 1-day recall of the elements of informed consent by the parents/guardians of children enrolled in a clinical study in Mozambique. We developed a 10-question test based on the study’s informed consent document. We asked participants to answer questions shortly after being read the informed consent document and again the following day. Participants who did not demonstrate good or reasonable understanding at enrollment were provided the information again as a refresher. Overall high rates of initial comprehension demonstrate that attention to the informed consent process can result in Mozambicans’ informed, voluntary participation in clinical trials.

Study of Awareness and Practice of Informed Consent Process Among Clinical Trial Participants and Their Motives Behind Participation

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 710-718
Author(s):  
Rajesh Ranjan ◽  
Nidhi B. Agarwal ◽  
Prem Kapur ◽  
Amit Marwah ◽  
Rizwana Parveen
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Contract Research ◽  
Research Organizations ◽  
Informed Consent Document

Process to obtain informed consent is an essential component in research involving human subjects. However, much is not known about the level of awareness participants have about optimal consenting process and the motives that drive their participation in the trials. A cross-sectional study was conducted among volunteers who had been participating in clinical trials in contract research organizations of Delhi. Validated questionnaires were used to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice of informed consent process. Most of the volunteers, 226 (56.5%), had participated in 1 to 3 clinical trials. Majority (54%) were unaware about any informed consent document. None of them were aware of their right of profession competence, privacy and integrity, transparency, nonexploitation, and nonusage of their biological samples. Effective implementation of principles of informed consenting is largely lacking among contract research organizations in Delhi, India. This could potentially cause risk to the participants.

scholarly journals An evaluation of the process of informed consent: views from research participants and staff

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia O’ Sullivan ◽  
Laura Feeney ◽  
Rachel K. Crowley ◽  
Prasanth Sukumar ◽  
Eilish McAuliffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
Online Research ◽  
Research Staff ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The process of informed consent for enrolment to a clinical research study can be complex for both participants and research staff. Challenges include respecting the potential participant’s autonomy and information needs while simultaneously providing adequate information to enable an informed decision. Qualitative research with small sample sizes has added to our understanding of these challenges. However, there is value in garnering the perspectives of research participants and staff across larger samples to explore the impact of contextual factors (time spent, the timing of the discussion and the setting), on the informed consent process. Methods Research staff and research participants from Ireland and the UK were invited to complete an anonymous survey by post or online (research participants) and online (research staff). The surveys aimed to quantify the perceptions of research participants and staff regarding some contextual factors about the process of informed consent. The survey, which contained 14 and 16 multiple choice questions for research participants and staff respectively, was analysed using descriptive statistics. Both surveys included one optional, open-ended question, which were analysed thematically. Results Research participants (169) and research staff (115) completed the survey. Research participants were predominantly positive about the informed consent process but highlighted the importance of having sufficient time and the value of providing follow-up once the study concludes, e.g. providing results to participants. Most staff (74.4%) staff reported that they felt very confident or confident facilitating informed consent discussions, but 63% felt information leaflets were too long and/or complicated, 56% were concerned about whether participants had understood complex information and 40% felt that time constraints were a barrier. A dominant theme from the open-ended responses to the staff survey was the importance of adequate time and resources. Conclusions Research participants in this study were overwhelmingly positive about their experience of the informed consent process. However, research staff expressed concern about how much participants have understood and studies of patient comprehension of research study information would seem to confirm these fears. This study highlights the importance of allocating adequate time to informed consent discussions, and research staff could consider using Teach Back techniques. Trial Registration Not applicable

Telephone-based nursing intervention improves the effectiveness of the informed consent process in cancer clinical trials.

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 984-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
N K Aaronson ◽  
E Visser-Pol ◽  
G H Leenhouts ◽  
M J Muller ◽  
A C van der Schot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Nursing Intervention ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
Trial Participation ◽  
Oncology Nurse

PURPOSE Here we report the results of a randomized study undertaken to test the efficacy of a supplementary, telephone-based nursing intervention in increasing patients' awareness and understanding of the clinical trials in which they are asked to participate. METHODS During a 12-month period, 180 cancer patients who were approached to participate in a phase II or III clinical trial were randomized to undergo either of the following: (1) standard informed consent procedures based on verbal explanations from the treating physician plus written information (controls); or (2) standard informed consent procedures plus a supplementary, telephone-based contact with an oncology nurse (intervention). For purposes of evaluation, face-to-face interviews were conducted with all patients approximately 1 week after the informed consent process had been completed. RESULTS The two groups were comparable with regard to sociodemographic and clinical variables. Both groups had a high level of awareness of the diagnosis and of the nature and objectives of the proposed treatments. The intervention group was significantly (P < .01) better informed about the following: (1) the risks and side effects of treatment; (2) the clinical trial context of the treatment; (3) the objectives of the clinical trial; (4) where relevant, the use of randomization in allocating treatment; (5) the availability of alternative treatments; (6) the voluntary nature of participation; and (7) the right to withdraw from the clinical trial. The intervention did not have any significant effect on patients' anxiety levels or on rates of clinical trial participation. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. CONCLUSION The use of a supplementary, telephone-based nursing intervention is a feasible and effective means to increase cancer patients' awareness and understanding of the salient issues that surround the clinical trials in which they are asked to participate.

Comprehension and recall from the informed consent process by phase I healthy volunteers before dose administration

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami Tadros ◽  
Gillian E Caughey ◽  
Sally Johns ◽  
Sepehr Shakib
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Study Drug ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
Phase I Clinical Trials ◽  
Study Drug Administration

Aims/Background A fundamental part of all clinical trials is informed consent, reflecting the respect for the volunteer’s autonomy. Research participation is voluntary; therefore, certain aspects of the proposed study must be disclosed so that volunteers can make an informed decision. In this study, we aimed to examine the level of comprehension and recall of healthy volunteers from the informed consent process. Methods The study was carried out at a single phase I clinical trials unit. A questionnaire was administered to each volunteer to assess recall of important aspects of the study at the day-1 visit following the informed consent process. The questionnaire contained seven questions regarding study objectives, route, frequency and type of drug administration, adverse effects, number of subjects previously exposed and remuneration. One point was awarded for each correct answer. Results A total of 266 volunteers were administered the questionnaire. The mean total score (±standard deviation) for all volunteers was 4.5 ± 1.1 points out of 7, with a range of 0.8–6.7. For all 10 studies, 91% of volunteers responded correctly when answering about the route of administration, and 90% were able to accurately state the correct payment amount. Only 7% were able to repeat the aims of the study correctly. Conclusion The poor performance of our study volunteers raises concerns about recall of information prior to study drug administration. This has implications for the volunteer’s safety and ability to provide true informed consent. Interventions to improve recall prior to dosing should be undertaken.

scholarly journals Regulatory developments in the conduct of clinical trials in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Roy Chaudhury ◽  
D. Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Supreme Court ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
Regulatory Institutions ◽  
Indian Supreme Court

There has been a drop in clinical research in India following stringent conditions put in place by the Indian Supreme Court in 2013. The Court's orders came in the wake of irregularities highlighted in the conduct of clinical trials in the country. This paper highlights the steps taken by the Indian regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to comply with these directions. These are of three kinds: strengthening regulatory institutions, protecting participant safety and creating regulatory certainty for sponsors and investigators. Examples include the large-scale training of Ethics Committees, framing detailed guidelines on compensation and audiovisual recording of the informed consent process, as well as reducing the time taken to process applications. It is expected that these measures will inspire confidence for the much-needed resumption of clinical research.

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