Challenges in Obtaining Informed Consent in Qualitative Research and Suggestions to Improve It- A Descriptive Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The dynamic and flexible nature of qualitative studies is expected to impose new challenges upon the researchers in obtaining informed consent. The study objectives were to explore the challenges per-ceived by the researchers in obtaining informed consent in qualitative research and their suggestions to im-prove it. Material and Methods: It was a descriptive qualitative study in which In-depth interviews were conducted among ten qualitative researchers purposively selected from one medical college in Puducherry. Transcripts prepared from the audio recordings were thematically analyzed manually. Results: The challenges identified were inadequate knowledge of the researcher in designing qualitative con-sent form, reluctance to sign consent document by participant, ensuring confidentiality and risk benefit com-munication. The main suggestions provided by the participants were to use of multimedia tools to improve their understanding and creating a rapport to enhance their trust to participate in the study. Conclusions: Since most of the challenges were related to the reluctance of participants to provide consent due to various reasons and lack of adequate knowledge of the researcher, creating a good rapport with the participants and providing simple information through multimedia approaches and ethical training of qualita-tive researchers will aid us to overcome majority of these challenges.