Video-Assisted Informed Consent in a Clinical Trial of Resuscitation of Extremely Preterm Infants: Lessons Learned

Objective †Obtaining informed consent for clinical trials is challenging in acute clinical settings. For the VentFirst randomized clinical trial (assisting ventilation during delayed cord clamping for infants <29 weeks' gestation), we created an informational video that sites could choose to use to supplement the standard in-person verbal and written consent. Using a postconsent survey, we sought to describe the impact of the video on patient recruitment, satisfaction with the consent process, and knowledge about the study. Study Design †This is a descriptive survey-based substudy. Results †Of the sites participating in the VentFirst trial that obtained institutional review board (IRB) approval to allow use of the video to supplement the standard informed consent process, three elected to participate in the survey substudy. From February 2018 to January 2021, 82 women at these three sites were offered the video and completed the postconsent survey. Overall, 73 of these 82 women (89%) consented to participate in the primary study, 78 (95%) indicated the study was explained to them very well or extremely well, and the range of correct answers on five knowledge questions about the study was 63 to 98%. Forty-six (56%) of the 82 women offered the video chose to watch it. There were no major differences in study participation, satisfaction with the consent process, or knowledge about the study between the women who chose to watch or not watch the video. Conclusion †Watching an optional video to supplement the standard informed consent process did not have a major impact on outcomes in this small substudy. The ways in which audiovisual tools might modify the traditional informed consent process deserve further study. Key Points Informed consent in acute clinical contexts is difficult. Videos offer an alternative communication tool. Continued research is necessary to optimize the consent process.