When a patient who cannot read is required to sign a consent form, you will need to explain the procedure to both the patient and a family member or the patients legal guardian or representative. The patient then signs the consent form unless he or she has been determined to be incompetent. If this is not possible, or if the patient cannot write, explain the procedure to the patient with a witness present. Ask the patient to place an X on the form in the witnesss presence, and then have the witness sign.

Who should sign the consent form if a patient cannot read or write?