The ethical principle of respect for persons requires that subjects be given the opportunity to choose what shall and shall not happen to them. Valid informed consent requires: (1) Disclosure of relevant information to prospective subjects about the research; (2) their comprehension of the information, and (3) their voluntary agreement, free of coercion and undue influence, to research participation.

Ideally, informed decision-making by research subjects is a process that generally includes discussion of the research study with the Principal Investigator (PI), and others as appropriate, and signing the written informed consent document. Depending on the nature, type and duration of the research, ongoing discussion with and education of subjects about the study may continue long after the informed consent document is signed.

A goal of the NIH is to assure that all written informed consent documents are complete and clearly written so as to promote informed decision-making by subjects participating in its research activities. This information sheet provides guidance to NIH clinical researchers and IRBs on the procedures and requirements for informed consent to research participation and the content and format of written consent documents.

1. General Procedures

Unless otherwise waived by the IRB, NIH research investigators should obtain valid informed consent from all research subjects (or their legally authorized representatives) who participate in their research studies. Generally, after the Principal Investigator has explained the research study to the subject, the subject's informed consent is documented by signing the protocol’s written consent document, which an IRB must have previously reviewed and approved. The NIH consent document form NIH-2514-1 (Consent to Participate in a Clinical Research Study, Attachment A), obtainable from IRB Protocol Coordinators, is used for all subjects enrolled in research conducted at the Clinical Center. Form NIH-2514-1 is also available from the Clinical Center’s homepage. The subject is given a copy of the signed document, and, when the research is conducted in the Clinical Center, the Principal Investigator ensures that the original signed consent document is filed in the subject's permanent medical record maintained by the Clinical Center's Medical Record Department. In cases where subject accrual occurs elsewhere, signed consent documents are retained according to the policies of the institution where the research is conducted.

2. General Principles

Unless otherwise authorized by an IRB, research investigators are responsible for ensuring that informed consent shall:

• be obtained in writing from the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative;
• be understandable to the subject or her/his representative. Suggestions for writing consent documents are provided in 3., below.
• be obtained in circumstances that are not coercive and that offer the subject (or her/his representative) sufficient opportunity to decide whether she/he should participate. The consent document should not contain language that implies or suggests that the subject (or her/his representative) gives up any legal rights or releases research investigators or the NIH from liability for negligence.
3. Basic Elements for Written Informed Consent Documents

Unless otherwise authorized by an IRB, research investigators must provide the following information to each subject in writing:

• A statement that the study involves research;*
• An explanation of the purpose of the research and the expected duration of the subject's participation;
• A description of the procedures to be followed and identification of any procedures that are experimental;
• A description of any foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject, an estimate of their likelihood, and a description of what steps will be taken to prevent or minimize them;
• A description of any benefits to the subject or to others that may reasonably be expected from the research;
• A disclosure of any appropriate alternative procedures or courses of treatment that might be advantageous to the subject;
• A statement describing to what extent records will be kept confidential, including a description of who may have access to research records;*
• For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation and description of any compensation and any medical treatments that are available if research subjects are injured; where further information may be obtained, and whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury;*
• An explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the research and the research subject's rights (include the Clinical Center’s Patient Representative and telephone number);* and
• A statement that participation is voluntary and that refusal to participate or discontinuing participation at any time will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled.*

* The basic elements which have an asterisk are incorporated in existing language printed on form NIH-2514-1 (Consent to Participate in a Clinical Research Study). Nevertheless, to enhance comprehension and readability, investigators are strongly urged to use a format in the body of the consent form that presents information in sections, introduced by headings, and that clearly and simply identifies and describes each of the elements to be discussed, even if the sections repeat information that appears on the printed form. An example of an effective way to use headings is attached (Attachment B).

4. Additional Elements

When appropriate, and required by the IRB, one or more of the following elements of information will also be provided to each research subject:

• If the subject is or may become pregnant, a statement that the particular treatment or procedure may involve risks, which are currently unforeseeable, to the subject or to the embryo or fetus;
• A description of circumstances in which the subject's participation may be terminated by the investigator without the subject's consent;
• Any costs to the subject that may result from participation in the research;
• What will happen if the subject decides to withdraw from the research and how withdrawal will be handled;
• A statement that the Principal Investigator will notify subjects of any significant new findings developed during the course of the study that may affect them and influence their willingness to continue participation;
• The approximate number of subjects involved in the study;
• When appropriate, a statement concerning an investigator’s potential financial or other conflict of interest in the conduct of the study.
5. Waiver or Alteration of the Required Elements of Informed Consent

In certain circumstances prescribed by the Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46), an IRB may waive the requirement to obtain informed consent, or may approve a consent process which does not include or alters some or all of the elements in (c) above. For more information, see the NIH Multiple Project Assurance G.3.

When an investigator writes or reviews a research consent document, she/he should ask the following questions:

Usually, before a person agrees to take part in a research study, he/she not only reads a written consent document but also discusses the study with a researcher. A suggestion when writing consent documents is to assume that prospective subjects will not talk to a researcher (or research nurse) at all about the study, and that all their information will come entirely from the consent document. If this approach is used the document is more likely to be clear, complete, devoid of medical/scientific terminology and able to "stand alone."