InFORMed: Redesigning Consent to Research

*This information is from inFORMed, a project based in Australia, so not all information will be 100% applicable to a UK audience. But, the work comes highly recommended.*

Full details about the project can be found on the inFORMed website: https://www.informedpicf.com.au/

The InFORMed Project template has been developed to support a participant-centred, simplified, national Participant Information Consent Form (PICF).

"Our aim is to improve the efficiency and impact of health and medical research in Australia by making it easier for consumers to make decisions about participation."

Simplifying Participant Information and Consent Forms

Deciding whether to participate in research should be supported by information that is clear, simple and easy to navigate. Yet current Participant Information and Consent Forms (PICFs) are often the opposite: long, complex, and difficult to understand. The CT:IQ InFORMed Project is developing templates and guidance to assist in the creation of more participant-centric PICFs.

CT:IQ (Clinical Trials: Impact & Quality) is a collaborative group of stakeholders with the aim of improving the impact and quality of clinical trials in Australia. CT:IQ comprises more than 50 member organisations and individuals who come together to pursue projects that will promote efficient, effective, and participant-centred, clinical trials.

CT:IQ and the project team are proud to release the InFORMed template and user guide for use by the Australian health and medical research sector.

The InFORMed Project template has been developed to support a participant-centred, simplified, national PICF. Our aim is to improve the efficiency and impact of health and medical research in Australia by making it easier for consumers to make decisions about participation.

The template and user guide have been through a robust development process, including consumer consultation and beta-testing. They are suitable for use across a wide range of Australian health and medical research projects.

DOWNLOAD InFORMed Project Template and User Guide

Here are examples of how the template has been used in the context of different research projects - for a clinical drug trial and for a low-risk social science study. Please note, these are examples only and should not be used for IMPEDE-PKD or Beyond the Form study purposes.