Feasibility and Efficacy of Verbal Consents

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Refusal rates for participation in geriatric research have been surprisingly high. This may be due in part to inherent difficulties with a written consent procedure. A simple, easily administered, standardized verbal consent procedure (VCP) for the institutionalized elderly was developed to address this problem. Of 114 patients eligible for enrollment in a study evaluating outcomes of group psychotherapy, 100 gave verbal consent. When written consent was requested, 60 signed immediately; 35, only after substantial coaxing. Five patients refused to sign a consent form, although verbally agreeing to participate. It is estimated that the number of study participants would have been reduced by 40% had written consent been required. The findings raise ethical and logistical issues pertaining to a verbal consent procedure.