Q: Is there any template for patient consent forms for Case Reports at The Lancet?
I’m going to submit a case report to Lancet, and I want to know if there is any template for the consent form. According to the instructions for authors, the report is expected to be "within 600 words", "references to be within 5 pieces", "pictures to be within 2 pieces" and "consent form should be obtained from the patients or their guardian."
The "Information for authors" section of The Lancet provides the following information about patient consent:
- Since the consent form needs to comply with the relevant legal requirements of your particular jurisdiction, we do not provide sample forms; this is your responsibility. Your affiliated institution should be able to provide an appropriate form.
- For the purposes of publishing in The Lancet journals, a consent, permission, or release should include, without limitation, publication in all formats (including print, electronic, and websites), in sublicensed and reprinted versions (including translations), and in other works and products.
- To respect your patient’s and any other individual’s privacy, please do not send signed forms to The Lancet. Please instead complete the patient consent section of the Author statements while retaining copies of the signed forms in the event they should be needed.
I also found a form for patient consent for the article to be published in The Lancet. You can download it here. However, as mentioned in the third point above, you have to keep the signed forms with you, and not send them to The Lancet. In addition to this form, you might have to use consent forms that your affiliated institution provides. I feel, to be on the safe side, it would be best to get both forms signed by the patient.
Recommended reading:
This content belongs to the Journal submission & peer review Stage