Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

How Compass is developedGive feedback

Treatments and research

Informed consent

Agreeing to take part after being told what is involved, in a way you can withdraw at any time.

What it means

A process rather than a signature. It should cover what will happen, what is known and not known about risks, what the alternatives are, and that leaving will not affect your care. It continues through the study, not just at the start.

Why you might hear it

  • It is a formal requirement of every trial.
  • Taking the document away to read is normal and expected.

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.