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 .
Informed shared decision making about immunotherapy for patients with multiple sclerosis (ISDIMS): a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of an evidence -based patient decision aid ( DA ) on  multiple sclerosis ( MS ) immunotherapy . METHODS Two hundred and ninety-seven MS patients who were considering or reconsidering immunotherapy participated in a r and omized community-based controlled trial in Germany . An intervention group ( IG ) received the DA and a control group ( CG ) received st and ard information . Primary outcome measure was the match between the patient 's preferred and actual roles during consultation with the physician . Secondary end-point was treatment choice . The course of the decision-making process and patients ; evaluation of the decision were also evaluated . Data were collected at baseline , after receiving the information , after consultation with the physician and 6 months after baseline . RESULTS The percentage of preference matches did not differ between groups ( IG 49 % , CG 51 % , P = 0.71 ) . There were no differences in immunotherapy choices between groups . IG patients temporarily became more critical of immunotherapy and rated the information as significantly more helpful . CONCLUSIONS Although the intervention led to intensified processing of the information it affected neither the roles adopted in physician-patient encounters nor the immunotherapy choices made . Providing patients with balanced information may not be sufficient to alter the decision-making process
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 .