Patient attitudes toward physician consent in epidemiologic research

Attitudes of patients toward the necessity of physician consent in epidemiologic studies were assessed. Questionnaires were mailed to women with breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers who had previously participated in a personal interview study (N = 692). Of respondents (N = 514), only 2 per cent would have preferred their physician to have withheld approval, and half considered physician permission necessary. Thirty-five per cent reported that their doctor talked to them about the study prior to the interview. Implications of including physician consent in study protocols are discussed.