eConsent for kidney biopsy: impact on the patient experience

Before undergoing a medical procedure like a kidney biopsy, patients need to give informed consent — meaning they must understand what the procedure involves, its risks, and the alternatives. This consent process is usually conducted by a clinician in conversation with the patient, but the quality and consistency of that communication can vary widely, and many patients leave without fully understanding what they have agreed to. This study tests whether an audiovisual electronic consent process — where patients can watch a video explaining the procedure at their own pace before their appointment — improves understanding, reduces anxiety, and increases satisfaction compared to the traditional verbal consent process. Participants scheduled for a kidney biopsy are randomly assigned to either the standard clinician-led consent or the eConsent approach, and outcomes including comprehension and patient experience are measured. You may be eligible if you are 18 or over and are scheduled for a percutaneous kidney biopsy. People who lack legal capacity to consent to medical treatment, or who are legally blind, are not eligible.