Consent Forms in Cancer Research: Examining the Effect of Length on Readability

Overview

About this study

The objectives of this study are to determine whether cancer patients report that shorter, or less wordy, consent forms are helpful to them as they decide about whether or not to enroll in a cancer clinical trial, and to determine whether shorter consent forms result in a greater percentage of patients’ enrolling in a cancer clinical trial, based on whether or not the patient has signed a mock consent form.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

 

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patient-reported history of cancer.
  • Patient is able to read English.
  • Patient-reported age of 18 years or older.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals under 18 years of age.

Eligibility last updated 5/17/22. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

 

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Aminah Jatoi, M.D.

Closed for enrollment

Contact information:

Nichole Martin

(507) 293-1987

Martin.Nichole@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

  • Rural patients are often underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. This is a secondary analysis of a study that tested short (2000 word) versus long (6000 word) consent forms with a focus on rurality. Among 240 patients, 89 (37%) were rural. Seventy-one (80%) rural and 117 (77%) nonrural patients signed a consent form of any length ( = .68). Forty-one of 47 (87%) rural patients signed a short consent form; in contrast, 30 of 42 (71%) signed a long form. These trends suggest rural patients are more likely to sign short consent forms. Further study is indicated. Read More on PubMed
  • This randomized, double-blind study sought to understand whether cancer clinical trial consent form verbosity detracts from patients' decision making on trial enrollment. Read More on PubMed

Additional contact information

Cancer-related trials contact form

Phone: 855-776-0015 (toll-free)

International patient clinical studies questions