We have identified efforts by research ers to investigate interventions which seek to improve information delivery and consideration of information to enhance  informed consent .
The interventions used consistently improve patient knowledge , an important prerequisite for informed consent .
This is encouraging and these measures could be widely employed although we are not able to say with confidence which types of interventions are preferable .
Our results should be interpreted with caution due to the high levels of heterogeneity associated with many of the main analyses although we believe there is broad evidence of beneficial outcomes for patients with the pragmatic application of interventions .
BACKGROUND Achieving informed consent is a core clinical procedure and is required before any surgical or invasive procedure is undertaken .
However , it is a complex process which requires patients be provided with information which they can underst and and retain , opportunity to consider their options , and to be able to express their opinions and ask questions .
There is evidence that at present some patients undergo procedures without informed consent being achieved .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on patients , clinicians and the healthcare system of interventions to promote informed consent for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive healthcare treatments and procedures .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Informed consent is an important ethical and practical part of patient care .
A randomised controlled trial of the effects of a web-based PSA decision aid, Prosdex. Protocol
Background Informed decision making is the theoretical basis in the UK for men 's decisions about Prostate Specific Antigen ( PSA ) testing for prostate cancer testing . The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a web-based PSA decision-aid , Prosdex , on informed decision making in men . The objective is to assess the effect of Prosdex on six specific outcomes : ( i ) knowledge of PSA and prostate cancer-related issues – the principal outcome of the study ; ( ii ) attitudes to testing ; ( iii ) decision conflict ; ( iv ) anxiety ; ( v ) intention to undergo PSA testing ; ( vi ) uptake of PSA testing . In addition , a mathematical simulation model of the effects of Prosdex will be developed . Methods A r and omised controlled trial with four groups : two intervention groups , one viewing Prosdex and the other receiving a paper version of the site ; two control groups , the second controlling for the potential Hawthorn effect of the question naire used with the first control group . Men between the ages of 50 and 75 , who have not previously had a PSA test , will be recruited from General Practitioners ( GPs ) in Wales , UK . The principal outcome , knowledge , and four other outcome measures – attitudes to testing , decision conflict , anxiety and intention to undergo testing – will be measured with an online question naire , used by men in three of the study groups . Six months later , PSA test uptake will be ascertained from GP records ; the online question naire will then be repeated . These outcomes , and particularly PSA test uptake , will be used to develop a mathematical simulation model , specifically to consider the impact on health service re sources .Trial registration Current Controlled Trial : IS RCT N48473735
We have identified efforts by research ers to investigate interventions which seek to improve information delivery and consideration of information to enhance  informed consent .
The interventions used consistently improve patient knowledge , an important prerequisite for informed consent .
This is encouraging and these measures could be widely employed although we are not able to say with confidence which types of interventions are preferable .
Our results should be interpreted with caution due to the high levels of heterogeneity associated with many of the main analyses although we believe there is broad evidence of beneficial outcomes for patients with the pragmatic application of interventions .
BACKGROUND Achieving informed consent is a core clinical procedure and is required before any surgical or invasive procedure is undertaken .
However , it is a complex process which requires patients be provided with information which they can underst and and retain , opportunity to consider their options , and to be able to express their opinions and ask questions .
There is evidence that at present some patients undergo procedures without informed consent being achieved .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on patients , clinicians and the healthcare system of interventions to promote informed consent for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive healthcare treatments and procedures .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Informed consent is an important ethical and practical part of patient care .