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Biomedical and Behavioral Research in Nursing Homes: Guidelines for Ethical Investigations
Author(s) -
Sachs Greg A.,
Rhymes Jill,
Cassel Christine K.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1993.tb07470.x
Subject(s) - safeguarding , medicine , nursing , nursing homes , vulnerability (computing) , nursing research , informed consent , ethical issues , alternative medicine , engineering ethics , computer security , computer science , pathology , engineering
As nursing homes become increasingly important sites for biomedical and behavioral research, researchers must address the ethical problems of increased vulnerability and the high prevalence of mental and physical disorders in the nursing home population. Obtaining valid informed consent is but one of the many difficult issues that confronts the investigator in the nursing home. Efforts should be made to involve nursing home residents, as well as family and staff members, in the review of research. The benefits and burdens of research protocols should be equitably distributed, and potential conflicts of interest for staff members and physicians should be minimized or their potential adverse impact ameliorated. Appropriate attention to these ethical concerns may facilitate nursing home research while still safeguarding vulnerable residents. We offer proposed guidelines for the ethical conduct of research in nursing homes in an effort to stimulate discussion among investigators, nursing home staff and residents, residents' families, and ethicists.