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Assurance of ConfidentialityThis section of the consent form should explain how information obtained from a subject in connection with a study will remain confidential.
This section of the consent form should explain how information obtained from a subject in connection with a study will remain confidential.
The Assurance of Confidentiality section assures that any information obtained in connection with the study that could identify the subject will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with the subject’s permission. The following standard statement may be used:
Any information obtained during this study that could identify you will be kept strictly confidential. The information obtained in this study may be published in scientific or scholarly journals or presented at scientific or professional meetings; however, no identifying information will be used.
If the investigator intends to release any information, the standard statement of confidentiality should be modified to state the person(s) or agency to whom information will be furnished, the nature of the information to be furnished, the purpose of this disclosure, and whether the subject’s name will be used.
It is strongly recommended that a code be used as subject identifiers. When appropriate, storage of the data, the length of time the data will remain stored, and the method of disposing the data should be explained.
If the research data are considered sensitive (for example, HIV status of subjects, or sensitive private information) the statement of confidentiality should be modified by adding a description of the way in confidentiality will be preserved.
