FAQ - What can you tell me about obtaining patient consent?

Answer

Patient consent is essential for the use of patient materials in learning and teaching. This includes everything from information about a patient (history, record, etc.) to tissues, images, video, sound recordings, images of family, clinical materials, etc. The results of the Bristol enquiry and Alderhey (see the DH website) and developments abroad are increasing the emphasis on the need for a two stage consent process (commonly used with children and vulnerable adults).

The GMC guidelines, published in 2011, are already in question for going far enough to protect patients. Other information can be found at

• Department of Health a committee to review and define good practice
• BMJ information Comments from the editor of the BMJ
• Article in the BMJ "Videos, photographs, and patient consent" (1998)
• GMC Guidelines (November 1998)
• Royal College of Psychiatry (was due for review April 2003) states that "Written consent should normally be obtained both in advance of the recording and again after the recording."

In response to this changing framework Reusing Medical Recordings Project, a JISC funded project is working with patients, audio visual experts and legal experts to rewrite guidelines for obtaining written consent, especially for materials made available over the web.

Last updated: 01 July 2011