The Research and Family Liaisons (RFLs) at the Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute developed the Consent, Assent and Parental Permission (CAPP) Mentoring Program.
The purpose of the program is to improve communication skills of researchers and research staff when engaging families regarding decisions about participation in clinical research.
The program is directed at new clinical research staff. It includes a series of background lectures and discussions on regulatory, ethical and communication issues related to the informed consent process.
As part of the program, participants observe consent discussions led by peers, then apply what they have learned to their own interactions with families. Program instructors observe these interactions and provide feedback to participants about the effectiveness of their communication with families.