Are subjects satisfied with the informed consent process? A survey of research participants.

Abstract

Subjects reported that they were satisfied with the informed consent process and their experience in a clinical trial, and that they understood trial concepts. Subjects may be able to self-assess their own level of understanding for trial concepts that intrinsically make sense within the context of their beliefs about medical care, but other trial concepts may be misunderstood/misinterpreted regardless of self-assessment of understanding or education level (i.e., concealed allocation). Subjects may prefer to believe that investigators know which treatment they are receiving, and have made a good treatment decision specific to their case, despite having being told about concealed allocation and placebo use.