title: Comparison of good clinical practice compliance and readability ease of the informed consents between observational and interventional clinical studies in the Emirates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Expansion of clinical trials activity into emerging regions has raised concerns regarding participant rights and research ethics. Increasing numbers of observational studies are now conducted in developing economies, including the United Arab Emirates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study compares the content of information provided, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guideline compliance, and readability of informed consent forms (ICFs) for observational compared to interventional studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GCP compliance for observational studies averaged at 79.5% + 6.8%, significantly (P < 0.001) lower than 92.2 + 5.0 percent for interventional studies. Readability ease and readability-grade level were assessed with Flesch-Kincaid scales. Results indicated higher readability grade-level 12.4 + 0.4 (P < 0.001) and lower readability Flesch-Kincaid reading ease score 35.7 + 3.6 for observational studies, as compared to 10.3 + 1.6 and 47.8 + 7.4 for interventional studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mandatory training for investigators is essential to provide readability ease and GCP compliance for the ICFs for the local population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Affairs-Medical Affairs, Tawam Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Box 15528, Al Ain, UAE.
authors.forename: Satish Chandrasekhar
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Affairs-Medical Affairs, Tawam Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Box 15528, Al Ain, UAE.
authors.forename: Halah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Affairs-Medical Affairs, Tawam Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Box 15528, Al Ain, UAE; Department of Emergency Medicine, Tawam Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Box 15528, Al Ain, UAE.
authors.forename: Omar Sherif
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Askar
keywords: Clinical trials; compliance readability; gulf; informed consents