title: Literacy, comprehension, and informed consent in clinical research.
abstract: Institutional review boards (IRBs) and informed consent have recently come under increasing scrutiny. The provision of appropriate and understandable information and its comprehension are key elements of the informed consent process. This article examines how literacy and other factors might impact on comprehension of the information provided. Better understanding of these issues and how to best address them are crucial to allowing clinical research subjects to participate as well-informed and willing partners in scientific inquiry.
authors.affiliation: Center for Behavioral and Community Studies, AMC Cancer Research Center, 1600 Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80214, USA. raichp@amc.org
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Raich
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Plomer
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Coyne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D003071:Cognition; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011367:Professional Staff Committees; D012737:Sex Factors