Meeting Places in Eliciting Truly Informed Consent

IRB Eliciting Truly Informed Consent

Meeting Places

Objectives:

This module offers information for the Principal Investigator and the Research Staff to consider regarding some positive characteristics of Meeting a meeting place. Theses characteristics include:

Convenience
Privacy
Quiet

Introduction

We have emphasized presentation and communication skills, but the environment is inseparable from these components. A major determinant of the success of any IC process is the way it is set up in the beginning. The environment is just as controllable and important as proper training and a well crafted, intelligible IC document.

Convenience

This is common sense. If you don't think ahead about the surroundings in which you will pursue IC, you may find yourself holding a document up on the wall of a dimly lit hallway so the participant can sign. That really doesn't inspire confidence and trust. Intentionally or by default, environments are chosen, and choices reflect values. It rarely goes unnoticed if an environment demonstrates insensitivity to the prospective research participant's needs and comfort.

Private & Quiet

You would not physically examine a patient on a street corner, counsel a patient about lifestyle modifications at a bar, or elicit a patient's sexual history at church. Likewise, some environments are simply not conducive to effective communication of IC information. Other environments frankly distort the relationship required for IC and can be coercive or inhibiting. Think comfortable chair and table in a well-lit private room with the door closed. Set yourself up to successfully and respectfully communicate with the participant. The video clip below identifies a poor environment in which to conduct informed consent.