Improving understanding of the informed consent process and document.
OBJECTIVE
To review theoretical perspectives relating to the communication of informed consent and to describe research efforts and strategies to enhance the informed consent process and document.


METHODS
Research studies review articles, education and communication models, and NCI National Working Group on Informed Consent Recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
Information communicated during the informed consent process is difficult to understand, raising ethical concerns about whether informed decision-making has taken place. Empirical research focuses on the nature of patient-provider interactions and the effectiveness of various delivery systems, a need exists to overcome conceptual and methodologic limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses must ensure that patients understand informed consent information. Several communication strategies are posited.
Meade
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Education Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D032962:Consent Forms; D004282:Documentation; D036262:Empirical Research; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014481:United States