Participants in research: Contract to run a trial should include patient-researchers in steering groups

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7508.110-a

BMJ 2005;331:110 (9 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7508.110-a

Letter

Participants in research

Contract to run a trial should include patient-researchers in steering groups

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—In response to Sackett's editorial on participantsin research Laurence writes that the patient information sheets,and a consent form signed by both parties, contain the contractterms for participants in research (previous letter).¹ Theymay legally do so, but the quality of information sheets forpatients is suboptimal,² patients' understanding of them ispoor, and their purpose misconstrued. The parties to the contractare unequal, and patients' rights and responsibilities are poorlyunderstood. Public understanding of the research process ispoor; the purpose of reducing uncertainties about the effectsof treatment (both old and new) by the risk limiting methodof trials is only hazily appreciated.

The notion of adhering to the trial's objectives for its durationto ensure that robust data are produced demands a jointly drawn-upcontract from the outset of the trial. In other words, the contractto run a trial should include knowledgeable . . . [Full text of this article]

Hazel Thornton, honorary visiting fellow, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester

"Saionara," Colchester CO5 7EA hazelcagct@aol.com