There are limited times when it is not feasible to obtain signed documentation of informed consent for minimal risk research. You may obtain informed consent if you explain all important aspects of the study and allow time for the potential participant to ask questions. After the explanation, you can provide the potential participant with written information about the study (this can be a written consent form or a study information sheet), give them time to make a decision, and answer any follow-up questions. At this point, the participant can verbally agree to participate. Verbal consenting may be preferable to written consent for online or mailed surveys, telephone interviews, or when anonymous sensitive information is collected and there is a desire not to have written documentation that links the participant to the research study. To verbally consent patients, you need to complete a Waiver of Documentation (signature) of Informed Consent. The necessary documents can be found on the CMH Institutional Review Board website on the intranet. You may apply for a Waiver of Documentation of Informed Consent if ONE of the following criteria is met: The only record linking the subject and the research would be the consent document and the principal risk would be any harm from a breach of confidentiality. (Each subject would be asked whether they want documentation linking them with the research). OR The research presents no more than minimal risk of harm to subjects and involves no procedures for which written consent is normally required outside the consent OR The subjects or legally authorized representatives are members of a cultural group or community in which signing forms is not the norm, the research presents no more than minimal risk of harm to subjects, and there is an appropriate alternative mechanism for documenting that informed consent was obtained. Remember, when applying for a waiver of documentation of consent, you must also request a Waiver or alteration of HIPAA Authorization.  Pro Tip: be sure to use plain and clear language when communicating with a potential participant during the recruitment and consenting process. This glossary offers a great resource to look up lay language for medical terms.