Informed consent for clinical research in the emergency department

Informed consent serves as the basis for a partnership between patients and physicians as they attempt to find better methods of diagnosis and treatment. Despite the importance of informed consent, this is an area of research that is frequently overlooked. In fact, an improperly designed consent form is the most common reason research protocols are rejected or approval is delayed. The essential elements of informed consent and problems obtaining informed consent from patients is an emergency department are reviewed.