Trial experience and recollection of consent

Editor—Elbourne et al in their article discuss a common, and entirely avoidable, problem.¹ People asked to sign consent forms, for both research and treatment, often do not recollect the exact details later. This is perfectly understandable. The courteous and common sense thing to do is surely to give all trial participants, parents of children in trials, and ordinary patients not in trials, a copy of the consent form they have just signed. The form should be accompanied by an information sheet giving all relevant details (including randomisation if any).

This should not replace verbal explanation but supplement it. This strategy would avoid much confusion, unhappiness, and even perhaps litigation. It is amazing to us that such a simple procedure, which is routine in business transactions, is still not observed routinely in clinical practice in the United Kingdom.