National efforts to improve the informed consent process.

Objective: To inform oncology nurses about several national efforts to improve the informed consent document and process.

Methods: A federally funded grant program to stimulate research of informed consent, an initiative from the National Cancer Institute to improve informed consent documents in cancer clinical trials, and a model consent document developed by the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer.

Conclusions: These initiatives assist investigators and institutional review boards in presenting relevant and understandable information to potential clinical trial participants. Conclusions: These national efforts will raise awareness of providing potential research participants with clear information to assist them in making an educated, informed decision.