The patient could sign one form, in the first visit to a doctor, authorizing future disclosures for such purposes.

Within weeks, 6,000 patients signed and returned those forms.

Few patients sign their own names any more, and if they did, their writing might vary completely from one day to the next.

The emergency room doctors and nurses were surprised to find that the two patients had consent forms already signed when they arrived.

After the patient signed the consent form, the doctors began the implant operation.

No patient signed a consent form, and there is little evidence of true randomisation.

Under current practice, doctors often ask patients to sign forms authorizing the use and disclosure of medical information for various purposes.

Medical Justice "sells the agreement forms to health care providers" which a patient must sign before visiting the doctor.

Accordingly, Leahy has his patients sign a payment agreement ahead of time.

Because the treatment is so rigorous, some centers ask patients to sign an agreement in which they promise to adhere to it.