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Implications of informed consent for obstetric research
Author(s) -
Spencer Stephen Andrew,
Dawson Angus
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.6.3.163.26999
Subject(s) - informed consent , corporate governance , pregnancy , psychology , medicine , alternative medicine , business , finance , pathology , biology , genetics
The new Research Governance Framework places emphasis upon gaining fully informed consent from all potential research participants. In obstetric practice, research projects often involve emergency procedures or treatments at a time when women are distressed. There is a growing tendency not to involve such women in research because of the difficulty in obtaining consent. This could result in failure to develop improved treatments for mothers and babies. This review discusses some of these problems and suggests a number of ways to improve knowledge of research at an early stage of pregnancy as a way of addressing them.