Parental and clinician views of consent in neonatal research

Aim To determine parental and clinician views of the informed consent process in neonatal research. Methods A questionnaire-based study on the informed consent process. Two questionnaires were developed and distributed to parents and clinicians over a four-month period. Results Thirty-four parents (79%) surveyed had consented their baby to a research study. The majority of clinicians (72%) had a preference for antenatal provision of information. A desire to help future babies (97%, n=32) and a belief that their baby’s healthcare would directly benefit (72%, n=28) were primary reasons for consenting. The majority (76% n=28) of parents were not in favour of a waiver of consent. However twenty clinicians (56%) agreed that a waiver of consent may be appropriate in neonatal research. Thirty-one (86%) clinicians rated GCP training as important. Discussion Parents are generally supportive of neonatal research. Good clinical practice training is essential for clinicians involved in neonatal research.