Electronic consent at US cancer centers: A survey of practices, challenges, and opportunities Journal Article
| Authors: | Chimonas, S.; Lipitz-Snyderman, A.; Gaffney, K.; Kuperman, G. J. |
| Article Title: | Electronic consent at US cancer centers: A survey of practices, challenges, and opportunities |
| Abstract: | PURPOSE: Digital technologies create opportunities for improving consenting processes in cancer care and research. Yet, little is known about the prevalence of electronic consenting, or e-consent, at US cancer care institutions. METHODS: We surveyed institutions in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network about their capabilities for clinical, research, and administrative e-consents; technologies used; telemedicine consents; multilingual support; evaluations; and opportunities and challenges in moving from paper-based to electronic processes. Responses were summarized across responding institutions. RESULTS: Twenty-five institutions completed the survey (81% response rate). Respondents were from all census regions and included freestanding and matrix cancer centers. Twenty (80%) had e-consent capabilities, with variability in the extent of adoption: One (5%) had implemented e-consent for all clinical, research, and administrative needs while 19 (95%) had a mix of paper and electronic consenting. Among those with e-consent capabilities, the majority (14 of 20, 70%) were using features embedded in their electronic health record. Most had a combination of paper and e-consenting for clinical purposes (18, 72%). About two-thirds relied entirely on paper for research consents (16, 64%) but had at least some electronic processes for administrative consents (15, 60%). Obstacles to e-consenting included challenges with procuring or maintaining hardware, content management, workflow integration, and digital literacy of patients. Successes included positive user experiences, workflow improvements, and better record-keeping. Only two of 20 (10%) respondents with e-consent capabilities had evaluated the impact of automating consent processes. CONCLUSION: E-consent was prevalent in our sample, with 80% of institutions reporting at least some capabilities. Further progress is needed for the benefits of e-consenting to be realized broadly. |
| Keywords: | neoplasm; neoplasms; questionnaire; informed consent; telemedicine; electronics; electronic health records; humans; human; electronic health record; surveys and questionnaires |
| Journal Title: | JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics |
| Volume: | 7 |
| ISSN: | 2473-4276 |
| Publisher: | American Society of Clinical Oncology |
| Date Published: | 2023-01-01 |
| Start Page: | e2200122 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1200/cci.22.00122 |
| PUBMED: | 36595735 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC10166541 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Susan Chimonas -- Export Date: 1 February 2023 -- Source: Scopus |
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