Table 1.

Priority list for improving informed consent

Developed countries	Developing countries
Reduce the length of the written documentation used for informed consent	Develop strategies to present health studies and document informed consent without the use of written documents to eliminate the use of written documents with illiterate participants
Develop alternative strategies to protect the sponsoring institution from financial and legal liability	Obtain liability insurance for injury incurred from participating in health research when insurance is available
Obtain liability insurance for injury incurred from participating in health research when insurance is available	Develop locally relevant guidelines for recusal and conflict of interest
Restrict the addition of material by special interest groups, including government agencies	Develop strategies to assess a potential participant's understanding of the protocol before permitting their participation
Develop strategies to assess a potential participant's understanding of the protocol before permitting their participation