[How can sufficient information be ensured in clinical trials at an oncology department?]

It is difficult to comply with the intention that the patient gives consent to participation in a clinical trial on the basis of complete information. Reasons for this are the doctor's defective knowledge about processes of communication and his desire to protect the patient, and sometimes also himself, from disagreeable information. Solution of these problems requires more knowledge about theories of communication and crises and improved planning in how to provide this information. The patient's possibility of understanding the information on which he can base an independent decision may be improved by offering several conversations, improved presentation of the written information, the presence of a relative at the informative conversation and supplying the patient with a contact person from the staff for further information. It is concluded that more structured informative procedures are necessary in the individual departments in order to ensure that the patient receives sufficient information before giving qualified consent.