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What is a consent form?

Consent forms, also commonly referred to as release forms, are documents designed to inform participants on the details of an event, procedure, or activity. If participants choose to sign a consent form, they’re agreeing to the conditions specified and confirming that they understand the risks, benefits, and rules of their participation.

Health care providers commonly use these forms to ensure they’re compliant with HIPAA regulations and that they secure informed consent for medical procedures, clinical trials, studies, and other activities. HIPAA consent forms typically authorize the provider to send and receive protected patient health information. However, any document that secures approval and consent can be considered a consent or release form.

What are the different types of consent forms?

Consent forms vary depending on your industry, audience, and the services you provide. While there are hundreds of different types of specific consent forms, some common use cases include

• Informed consent forms
• Medical consent forms
• Travel consent forms
• Release forms
• Client contracts
• Liability waivers
• Parental consent forms

These consent forms are designed to fit the specific needs of your business or organization. Using a consent form template allows you to customize an existing form to match your branding and services.

What’s included in a consent form?

Consent forms vary depending on the circumstances they cover. For example, according to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections, an informed consent form for medical research must contain the following information:

• Information on why you’re conducting research
• The length of time you’ll expect the individual to participate
• Expected procedures, especially those that are experimental
• Any risks or potential discomfort the participant might experience
• Any benefits the participant can reasonably expect to get from the research
• An explanation of any potential alternative methods or treatments
• A statement on the confidentiality of the information gathered
• Rules on compensation or recovery due to injury
• A list of contacts if participants have questions about the research or their rights or need to report an injury
• A statement on the voluntary nature of participation

While a more general consent form might not include all of these details, it should include a clear, detailed explanation of what the person is agreeing to, along with fields to indicate consent, such as date and signature fields or checkboxes.

How do you write a consent form?

Whether you build a consent form from scratch or use a consent form template, your form needs to be comprehensive and easy to understand.

Here are a few tips on how to write the best consent form possible:

• Use language that makes sense to your audience. Be conversational and direct, and avoid industry jargon.
• Write in the second person. Consent forms should directly address participants, using “you,” “your child,” etc.
• Minimize passive voice. Passive language leaves room for interpretation and misunderstanding. Clearly indicate which parties are responsible for specific actions.

Using these tips will keep your businesses protected and help your participants or customers feel more comfortable giving consent.

Who uses consent forms?

Consent forms are commonly associated with the healthcare industry. However, any business or organization that requires authorization for an activity can use consent forms.

For example, some other entities that use consent forms include

• Marketers
• Photographers
• Schools
• Event planners
• Tattoo artists
• Travel agencies
• Beauty salons
• Therapists
• Sports teams

Each of these entities may conduct services or activities that include some type of risk to participants, whether physical or financial, which is why it’s important to ensure participants understand the details of their involvement and indicate that they accept the risk.

Acquiring consent not only reassures your customers by giving them the information they need to make a decision, but it also protects your business from legal action. This makes consent forms an important asset for any business performing a service.