Reviving Informed Consent: Using Risk Perception in Clinical Trials

By: Dana Ziker

The current doctrine of informed consent falls far short of its potential to serve as a valuable safeguard for human research subjects. Instead of providing a channel of communication between physician and subject, informed consent is a lifeless entity responsible for a large portion of the misunderstanding existing between these parties. Acknowledging risk perception principles may help transform the informed consent process into an effective communication of health risks.

Cite: 2003 Duke L. & Tech. Rev. 0015