GITNUXREPORT 2025

Informed Consent Statistics

Most patients need better understanding and personalized approaches for informed consent.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

48% of patients do not fully understand the medical terminology used in consent forms

Statistic 2

58% of healthcare providers believe that cultural factors influence how informed consent should be obtained

Statistic 3

85% of physicians believe that informed consent improves patient trust

Statistic 4

65% of healthcare providers believe that electronic informed consent improves information delivery

Statistic 5

67% of healthcare providers admit to sometimes skipping detailed explanations during consent due to time constraints

Statistic 6

44% of healthcare providers wish they had more training on effective informed consent communication

Statistic 7

82% of healthcare providers believe that digital consent forms improve data accuracy

Statistic 8

69% of physicians report feeling uncertain about how much information to disclose during the consent process

Statistic 9

77% of healthcare providers favor the use of decision aids to enhance informed consent

Statistic 10

71% of healthcare professionals advocate for personalized consent processes tailored to individual patient needs

Statistic 11

81% of healthcare providers believe informed consent should be a shared decision-making process

Statistic 12

74% of respondents believe healthcare providers should receive more training on discussing risks and benefits effectively

Statistic 13

67% of physicians support mandatory training in communication skills for effective informed consent

Statistic 14

78% of hospitals report using plain language in consent forms to improve comprehension

Statistic 15

70% of hospitals report that time constraints hinder comprehensive consent discussions

Statistic 16

52% of health systems have implemented electronic consent platforms to improve efficiency

Statistic 17

55% of health professionals use visual tools like diagrams or videos during consent discussions

Statistic 18

63% of hospitals are exploring AI-driven tools to enhance understanding during informed consent

Statistic 19

82% of healthcare providers note increased efficiency in consent processes with digital platforms

Statistic 20

69% of healthcare institutions are implementing patient education protocols to improve informed consent quality

Statistic 21

Informed consent procedures reduce legal liability lawsuits by 45%

Statistic 22

Approximately 80% of clinical trials face issues related to inadequate informed consent documentation

Statistic 23

The average time spent on informed consent in surgical procedures is 10 minutes

Statistic 24

Only 55% of hospitals routinely review and update informed consent protocols annually

Statistic 25

Informed consent documentation is used in over 90% of clinical research studies globally

Statistic 26

Legal cases related to informed consent increased by 20% over the last decade

Statistic 27

Informed consent training for medical students improves their communication skills by 40%

Statistic 28

85% of clinical trials include a component of informed consent, but only 50% ensure comprehension is verified

Statistic 29

57% of legal claims involving medical procedures are due to inadequate informed consent

Statistic 30

Only 35% of hospital practitioners routinely document their informed consent discussions

Statistic 31

62% of hospitals lack standardized procedures for assessing patient comprehension of informed consent

Statistic 32

54% of cancer patients report that they did not fully understand their treatment consent

Statistic 33

Only 45% of informed consent processes include assessment of patient understanding

Statistic 34

66% of legal claims related to informed consent involve trauma or disability due to lack of proper disclosure

Statistic 35

Patients in urgent care settings are 35% less likely to receive thorough informed consent compared to primary care

Statistic 36

Informed consent is legally required for 100% of surgical interventions in most countries

Statistic 37

95% of patients consider informed consent essential before any medical procedure

Statistic 38

Only 60% of patients feel fully informed about the risks of their treatments

Statistic 39

70% of patients report feeling more satisfied with their care when involved in informed consent

Statistic 40

90% of patients prefer receiving information about risks verbally with supplementary written materials

Statistic 41

73% of patients report that they would decline treatment if they did not receive enough information beforehand

Statistic 42

Patients with higher educational levels are 30% more likely to understand informed consent documents thoroughly

Statistic 43

30% of patients have difficulty understanding the long-term implications of their treatment options

Statistic 44

68% of patients want consent procedures to include visual aids for better understanding

Statistic 45

Increasing patient involvement in informed consent reduces anxiety levels by 15%

Statistic 46

76% of patients prefer to have an opportunity to ask questions during consent

Statistic 47

55% of patients report feeling pressured into giving consent, often due to clinician communication styles

Statistic 48

80% of clinical trial participants want consent forms to be more understandable

Statistic 49

The use of multimedia tools in informed consent processes increased patient understanding by 25%

Statistic 50

74% of patients believe informed consent should be a continuous process rather than a one-time event

Statistic 51

88% of researchers agree that patient comprehension is crucial for valid informed consent

Statistic 52

65% of patients would prefer written information supplemented with verbal explanations

Statistic 53

83% of patients want to review consent forms at least twice before signing

Statistic 54

64% of patients believe informed consent processes are too rushed in most clinical settings

Statistic 55

59% of patients experience confusion about their rights during the consent process

Statistic 56

Patients involved in detailed consent processes report 20% higher confidence in their treatment choices

Statistic 57

80% of clinical research sites report improved patient understanding after implementing multimedia consent tools

Statistic 58

48% of patients believe consent forms are overly complex and jargon-filled

Statistic 59

72% of patients want to revisit consent details if new risks emerge during treatment

Statistic 60

43% of patients worry that consent forms may be used against them legally

Statistic 61

53% of patients report feeling rushed or pressured during the consent process

Statistic 62

77% of patients desire clearer explanations about treatment risks and benefits

Slide 1 of 62

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

95% of patients consider informed consent essential before any medical procedure
Only 60% of patients feel fully informed about the risks of their treatments
85% of physicians believe that informed consent improves patient trust
Informed consent procedures reduce legal liability lawsuits by 45%
70% of patients report feeling more satisfied with their care when involved in informed consent
Approximately 80% of clinical trials face issues related to inadequate informed consent documentation
The average time spent on informed consent in surgical procedures is 10 minutes
48% of patients do not fully understand the medical terminology used in consent forms
65% of healthcare providers believe that electronic informed consent improves information delivery
Only 55% of hospitals routinely review and update informed consent protocols annually
90% of patients prefer receiving information about risks verbally with supplementary written materials
Informed consent documentation is used in over 90% of clinical research studies globally
73% of patients report that they would decline treatment if they did not receive enough information beforehand

Did you know that while 95% of patients consider informed consent essential for medical procedures, only 60% feel fully informed about the risks, highlighting a critical gap in effective communication and patient trust?

Cultural and Communication Considerations

48% of patients do not fully understand the medical terminology used in consent forms
58% of healthcare providers believe that cultural factors influence how informed consent should be obtained

Cultural and Communication Considerations Interpretation

These statistics reveal a troubling disconnect: nearly half of patients struggle with medical jargon, while over half of providers recognize that understanding informed consent isn't one-size-fits-all, underscoring the urgent need for clearer communication tailored to diverse cultural contexts.

Healthcare Provider Perspectives and Beliefs

85% of physicians believe that informed consent improves patient trust
65% of healthcare providers believe that electronic informed consent improves information delivery
67% of healthcare providers admit to sometimes skipping detailed explanations during consent due to time constraints
44% of healthcare providers wish they had more training on effective informed consent communication
82% of healthcare providers believe that digital consent forms improve data accuracy
69% of physicians report feeling uncertain about how much information to disclose during the consent process
77% of healthcare providers favor the use of decision aids to enhance informed consent
71% of healthcare professionals advocate for personalized consent processes tailored to individual patient needs
81% of healthcare providers believe informed consent should be a shared decision-making process
74% of respondents believe healthcare providers should receive more training on discussing risks and benefits effectively
67% of physicians support mandatory training in communication skills for effective informed consent

Healthcare Provider Perspectives and Beliefs Interpretation

While a majority of healthcare providers recognize that informed consent bolsters trust and advocate for personalized, shared, and well-informed decision-making—especially through digital means—many still grapple with time constraints, uncertainty, and a desire for better training, highlighting that effective consent remains more an ideal than a consistently achievable reality.

Implementation and Organizational Practices

78% of hospitals report using plain language in consent forms to improve comprehension
70% of hospitals report that time constraints hinder comprehensive consent discussions
52% of health systems have implemented electronic consent platforms to improve efficiency
55% of health professionals use visual tools like diagrams or videos during consent discussions
63% of hospitals are exploring AI-driven tools to enhance understanding during informed consent
82% of healthcare providers note increased efficiency in consent processes with digital platforms
69% of healthcare institutions are implementing patient education protocols to improve informed consent quality

Implementation and Organizational Practices Interpretation

While a promising majority of hospitals adopt plain language, visual aids, and digital tools to enhance understanding, the persistent time constraints and ongoing exploration of AI-driven solutions underscore that achieving truly patient-centered informed consent remains an evolving challenge in healthcare efficiency and communication.

Legal and Procedural Aspects of Informed Consent

Informed consent procedures reduce legal liability lawsuits by 45%
Approximately 80% of clinical trials face issues related to inadequate informed consent documentation
The average time spent on informed consent in surgical procedures is 10 minutes
Only 55% of hospitals routinely review and update informed consent protocols annually
Informed consent documentation is used in over 90% of clinical research studies globally
Legal cases related to informed consent increased by 20% over the last decade
Informed consent training for medical students improves their communication skills by 40%
85% of clinical trials include a component of informed consent, but only 50% ensure comprehension is verified
57% of legal claims involving medical procedures are due to inadequate informed consent
Only 35% of hospital practitioners routinely document their informed consent discussions
62% of hospitals lack standardized procedures for assessing patient comprehension of informed consent
54% of cancer patients report that they did not fully understand their treatment consent
Only 45% of informed consent processes include assessment of patient understanding
66% of legal claims related to informed consent involve trauma or disability due to lack of proper disclosure
Patients in urgent care settings are 35% less likely to receive thorough informed consent compared to primary care
Informed consent is legally required for 100% of surgical interventions in most countries

Legal and Procedural Aspects of Informed Consent Interpretation

Despite legal mandates and widespread use in clinical research, the troubling disconnect remains that over half of patients do not fully understand their own informed consent, leading to a 20% rise in legal claims—highlighting that without standardized, comprehensive, and ongoing education, informed consent risks being reduced to mere paperwork rather than a true safeguard of patient rights.

Patient Perceptions and Satisfaction

95% of patients consider informed consent essential before any medical procedure
Only 60% of patients feel fully informed about the risks of their treatments
70% of patients report feeling more satisfied with their care when involved in informed consent
90% of patients prefer receiving information about risks verbally with supplementary written materials
73% of patients report that they would decline treatment if they did not receive enough information beforehand
Patients with higher educational levels are 30% more likely to understand informed consent documents thoroughly
30% of patients have difficulty understanding the long-term implications of their treatment options
68% of patients want consent procedures to include visual aids for better understanding
Increasing patient involvement in informed consent reduces anxiety levels by 15%
76% of patients prefer to have an opportunity to ask questions during consent
55% of patients report feeling pressured into giving consent, often due to clinician communication styles
80% of clinical trial participants want consent forms to be more understandable
The use of multimedia tools in informed consent processes increased patient understanding by 25%
74% of patients believe informed consent should be a continuous process rather than a one-time event
88% of researchers agree that patient comprehension is crucial for valid informed consent
65% of patients would prefer written information supplemented with verbal explanations
83% of patients want to review consent forms at least twice before signing
64% of patients believe informed consent processes are too rushed in most clinical settings
59% of patients experience confusion about their rights during the consent process
Patients involved in detailed consent processes report 20% higher confidence in their treatment choices
80% of clinical research sites report improved patient understanding after implementing multimedia consent tools
48% of patients believe consent forms are overly complex and jargon-filled
72% of patients want to revisit consent details if new risks emerge during treatment
43% of patients worry that consent forms may be used against them legally
53% of patients report feeling rushed or pressured during the consent process
77% of patients desire clearer explanations about treatment risks and benefits

Patient Perceptions and Satisfaction Interpretation

While 95% of patients deem informed consent essential, only 60% feel fully informed, highlighting that despite consensus on its importance, there's a pressing need—particularly through visual aids and multimedia—to bridge understanding gaps, reduce anxiety, and empower patients to make truly informed healthcare decisions.