Table 2 Studies reporting public opinion of research without consent – Aspects of study design

Smithline & Gerstle (1998) [29]

Interview survey

Emergency Dept pts

Patient had serious illness

1. Study intervention with minimal absolute risk

2. Study intervention with greater than minimal absolute risk

McClure et al (2003) [31]

Interview survey

Emergency Dept pts & visitors

1. Study intervention with minimal absolute risk

2. Study intervention with greater than minimal absolute risk

Two study scenarios:

1. New therapies for serious bleeding

2. Efficacy of public access to defibrillation

Abboud et al (2006) [32]

Interview survey

Emergency Dept pts

Patient in cardiac arrest

Geriatric Clinic pts

Two surgical procedures:

1. Less invasive, intravenous line (minimal risk)

2. More invasive, thoracotomy (>minimal risk)

New experimental medicine in three study designs:

1. Outside of a study protocol;

2. Part of a study protocol;

3. In a randomised controlled trial

Goldstein et al (2007). [33]

Interview survey

Emergency Dept pts

Patient suffered cardiac arrest or stroke

Triner et al (2007) [34]

Interview survey

Emergency Dept pts & visitors

General description of waiver of and exception from informed consent studies

Booth et al (2005) [30]

Self-completion questionnaire

Out-patients

Patient suffered heart attack, stroke or head injury

1. Study intervention with minimal risk

2. Study intervention with moderate risk