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Symons TJ, Straiton N, Gagnon R, Littleford R, Campbell AJ, Bowen AC, Stewart AG, Tong SYC, Davis JS. Consumer perspectives on simplified, layered consent for a low risk, but complex pragmatic trial. Trials 2022; 23:1055. [PMID: 36578070 PMCID: PMC9795139 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-07023-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades, the research community has called for participant information sheets/consent forms (PICFs) to be improved. Recommendations include simplifying content, reducing length, presenting information in layers and using multimedia. However, there are relatively few studies that have evaluated health consumers' (patients/carers) perspectives on the type and organisation of information, and the level of detail to be included in a PICF to optimise an informed decision to enter a trial. We aimed to elicit consumers' views on a layered approach to consent that provides the key information for decision-making in a short PICF (layer 1) with additional optional information that is accessed separately (layer 2). We also elicited consumers' views on the optimal content and layout of the layered consent materials for a large and complex Bayesian adaptive platform trial (the SNAP trial). METHODS We conducted a qualitative multicentre study (4 focus groups and 2 semi-structured interviews) involving adolescent and adult survivors of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (22) and their carers (2). Interview transcripts were examined using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Consumers supported a layered approach to consent. The primary theme that emerged was the value of agency; the ability to exert some control over the amount of information read before the consent form is signed. Three other themes emerged; the need to prioritise participants' information needs; the importance of health literacy; the importance of information about a trial's benefits (over its risks) for decision-making and the interplay between the two. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that consumers may challenge the one-size-fits-all approach currently applied to the development of PICFs in countries like Australia. Consumers supported a layered approach to consent that offers choice in the amount of information to be read before deciding whether to enter a trial. A 3-page PICF was considered sufficient for decision-making for the SNAP trial, provided that further information was available and accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya J. Symons
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDepartment of Medicine and Health Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicola Straiton
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rosie Gagnon
- grid.15822.3c0000 0001 0710 330XMiddlesex University, London, UK
| | - Roberta Littleford
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Campus, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Anita J. Campbell
- grid.410667.20000 0004 0625 8600Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, Australia ,grid.414659.b0000 0000 8828 1230Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia ,grid.1012.20000 0004 1936 7910Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Asha C. Bowen
- grid.410667.20000 0004 0625 8600Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, Australia ,grid.414659.b0000 0000 8828 1230Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia ,grid.1012.20000 0004 1936 7910Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Adam G. Stewart
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Campus, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Steven Y. C. Tong
- grid.416153.40000 0004 0624 1200Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joshua S. Davis
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia ,grid.413648.cInfection Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia ,grid.1043.60000 0001 2157 559XMenzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
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