A surrogate system for informed consent
H. C. Fost
Since "informed consent" is frequently obtained in a clinical setting where
the patient is anxious and overwhelmed with feelings, toward the physician,
of awe, trust, and dependency, it is often of dubious value in protecting
human subjects. We devised, as a possible alternative mechanism for
uncovering patient views toward a specific research protocol, a surrogate
system of consent. The surrogates' responses seemed more candid and diverse
than the responses one usually hears in the "real" clinical setting.
Potential applications of such a system lie in further study of the consent
process, and as a means for individual investigators to better gauge
consumer attitudes toward specific projects.
