Assessing validity of informed consent

Abstract

Background: Valid consent includes three following elements: relevant information, voluntariness and competence of the participants. Aim: to assess the validity of the informed consent forms prepared by research students Methods: We collected and analyzed 349 informed consent forms submitted to the Research ethics committee at MNUMS from 2013 to 2017. Results: Average length of the informed consent form which research student submitted was 1.4±0.6 pages. Although the purpose, risks, indirect benefits, voluntary participation and confidentiality of the research are introduced in the consent forms according to the guidelines, access to information and equal treatment in case of withdraw and refusal from the research are excluded. Conclusion: Structure and contents of the informed consent forms are not being thoroughly introduced by research students.