Research Participants May Misunderstand Medical Consent Forms
The average research participant does not have the reading ability to fully understand informed consent documents, creating vulnerability in what is intended to protect patients from abuse, according to an Anesthesiology News report.
According to a study presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, consent forms examined in the study were written at a grade-11 reading level, compared to the grade-8 reading level recommended by IRBs.
William Tremaine, MD, director of the Office of Human Research Protection at Mayo Clinic, told Anesthesiology News that researchers obtaining consent for studies must give participants the opportunity to ask questions and clarify confusing parts of consent documents.
He added that consent forms should only constitute part of the informed consent process for research.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
December Anesthesiology Issue Highlights Washington University Exclusively
Drug Shortages Worst in Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Cardiology
General Anesthesia for Bilateral Exploration Safe for Elderly Patients With Hyperparathyroidism
© Copyright ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2012. Interested in LINKING to or REPRINTING this content? View our policies by clicking here.
Latest Articles
- Distraction Reduces Perceived Pain
- Study: Nucynta Effective Pain Reliever for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- American Board of Internal Medicine Discusses Initiative to Limit Medical Tests
- Disciplinary Actions From State Medical Boards Increase
- Two Anesthesiologists Selected to Lead St. Joseph Medical Center Anesthesia Department
Dow Jones
Company ID [INDEXDJX:.DJI] Last trade:12,369.38 Trade time:4:03PM EDT Value change:▼73.11 (-0.59%)NASDAQ
Company ID [INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC] Last trade:2,778.79 Trade time:5:16PM EDT Value change:▼34.90 (-1.24%)S&P 500
Company ID [INDEXSP:.INX] Last trade:1,295.22 Trade time:4:33PM EDT Value change:▼9.64 (-0.74%)Channels
