Informed consent in the context of research involving acute injuries and emergencies.
Traditionally, informed consent for clinical research involves the patient reading an approved Participant Information Sheet, considering the information presented and having as much time as they need to discuss the study information with their friends and relatives, their clinical care and the research teams. This system works well in the 'planned' or 'elective' setting. But what happens if the patient requires urgent treatment for an injury or emergency? This article reviews the legal framework which governs informed consent in the emergency setting, discusses how the approach taken may vary according to the details of the emergency and the treatment required, and reports on the patients' view of providing consent following a serious injury. We then provide some practical tips for managing the process of informed consent in the context of injuries and emergencies. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:147-150.
University of Oxford, NDORMS, Kadoorie Centre, Level 3 John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
M L
ML
Costa
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Kadoorie Centre, John Radcliffe, OX3 9DU, UK.
E
E
Tutton
University of Oxford, NDORMS, Kadoorie Centre, Level 3 John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
J
J
Achten
Warwick Medical School/CLAHRC WM/Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership Trust, University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School, Coventry CV4 8UW, UK.
R
R
Grant
Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
A M
AM
Slowther
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
Clinical research; Emergency; Informed consent; Mental capacity; Trauma