Correlating the Effect of Time and Patients' Cognitive Clarity- A Study on Obtaining Ethically Informed Consent.

ELSI08. Correlating the Effect of Time and Patients' Cognitive Clarity- A Study on Obtaining Ethically Informed Consent, J. Rix, K. Washington, K. Wiles

VUMC Cooperative Human Tissue Network, Nashville, TN, United States of America

Background: Ethically obtained informed consent is a necessity and requirement for current research and medical practices. Patients have the right to full disclosure about their medical needs and voluntary research opportunities. We aim to determine the most appropriate time to obtain consent for participation in a research study. The current practice of the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) Western division at Vanderbilt University is to approach patients for consent preoperatively on the day of surgery. With a participation rate of 98%, we believe that our study will validate our current methods. Methods: Four separate demographics were identified and surveyed to investigate the relationship between patient environment and cognitive clarity. The four groups represented are: patients, family and friends, doctors and nurses, and medical students. The survey inquires about patient stress levels from the moment of diagnosis to the surgery date. Participants will specify at what point throughout this process patients would be most comfortable and willing to participate in a research study. Results: Survey data will be collected and managed using research electronic data capture (REDCap) tools hosted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Conclusion: Based on the survey results, we will gain a better insight and understanding of when patients are most receptive to consent for research studies. We believe this study will validate the process of obtaining informed consent in the moments prior to surgery.