The effect on study consent rates of adding a QR code to patient consent forms: A Randomised controlled pilot study

Patient recruitment to a research trial has a huge influence on the successful conduct of trials. Effective, yet inexpensive ways of increasing consent rates are required. Quick response (QR) codes are becoming commonplace, and people are increasingly familiar with them, particularly due to recent requirement to use QR codes to check-in during the COVID-19 pandemic. QR codes have been used extensively to recruit, but a search of the literature failed to reveal any RCT investigating the effect on response rate of adding a QR code. As such, the aim of this trial is to determine whether the addition of a QR code to a patient consent form for a research trial increases the consent rates. The study will will be nested in a qualitative study involving colorectal cancer patients. All patients will be randomised to receive either standard patient information pack, or a patient information pack with QR codes. The between-group recruitment rates will be compared.