Medical ethics
Cards (9)
- Do no harm: research should not expose subjects to direct harm
- Benefits should outweigh the risk: Research should be worthwhile and provide value that outweighs any risk or harm
- Researchers should aim to maximise the benefit and minimise harm to participants/patients and researchers.
- Respect for autonomy
- All participants in research must take part voluntarily, free from any coercion or undue influence
- Their rights, dignity and autonomy should be respected and protected.
- Equity: a core principle of justice in relation to research is equal treatment
- Benefits should equally apply to everyone, and no one should be unduly burdened by the research.
- Should not discriminate against any group
- Informed consent: Informed consent requires participants to be given appropriate (a) information about the research (b) in a comprehensible manner (c) without duress or inappropriate inducement.
- The information should include the procedure, purpose, risks and benefits, alternative procedures (where therapy is involved)
- Need to offer the participant the opportunity to ask questions and to withdraw at any time from the research
- Confidentiality & data protection: Individual research participant and group preferences regarding anonymity should be respected
- Participant requirements concerning the confidential nature of information and personal data should be respected.
- Integrity: research should be designed, reviewed and undertaken to ensure recognised standards of integrity are met and quality and transparency are assured
- Usually involves the use of a review committee to ensure standards are being met
- Conflict of interest: the independence of research should be clear and any conflicts of interest or partiality should be explicit
- Using animals: There is a clear need to consider the care and treatment of animals as much as there is a need to consider humans
- Find alternatives
- Minimise harm
- Reduce the numbers
- Balance the benefits
- Treat with respect