Table 6 Approach taken by research staff in the informed consent process and confirming participants’ understanding
From: An evaluation of the process of informed consent: views from research participants and staff
Approach taken during informed consent process | Number of respondents, n = 115 (%)* | ||
Explain verbally | 105 (91%) | ||
Give PIL & ask participant to read it | 97 (84%) | ||
Read PIL to participant | 55 (48%) | ||
Show participant video or website | 7 (6%) | ||
Other | 12 (10%) | ||
Follow a structured approach (follow a checklist or the layout of the PIL) | Number of respondents, n = 115 (%) | ||
All the time | 40 (35%) | ||
Often | 36 (31%) | ||
Occasionally | 16 (14%) | ||
Never | 17 (15%) | ||
Didn’t reply | 6 (5%) | ||
Check participant’s understanding | Yes | No | Didn’t reply |
101 (88%) | 7 (6%) | 7 (6%) | |
If understanding is checked | Number of respondents (%), n = 101* | ||
Ask participant if they have understood | 89 (88%) | ||
Ask participant to ‘teach back’ or ‘talk back’ | 35 (35%) | ||
Encourage participant to ask questions | 93 (81%) | ||
Other | 6 (6%) | ||
Didn’t reply | 2 (2%) | ||
Continue to monitor consent | |||
All the time | 30 (26%) | ||
Often | 30 (26%) | ||
Occasionally | 33 (29%) | ||
Never | 16 (14%) | ||
Didn’t reply | 6 (5%) | ||