The perspectives of researchers on obtaining infomed consent in developing countries

Referentie:

Newton, Sam K. Applah-Poku, John “The perspectives of researchers on obtaining informed consent in developing countries”, Developing World Bioethics 7 (2007) 1, p. 19-24.

Informatief extract:

"Background: The doctrine of informed consent (IC) exists to protect individuals from exploitation or harm. This study into IC was carried out to investigate how different researchers perceived the process whereby researchers obtained consent. It also examined researchers’ perspectives on what constituted IC, and how different settings influenced the process.
Methods: The study recorded in-depth interviews with 12 lecturers and five doctoral students, who had carried out research in developing countries, at a leading school of public health in the United Kingdom. A purposive, snowballing approach was used to identify interviewees.
Results: Although the concept and application of the doctrine of IC should have been the same, irrespective of where the research was carried out, the process of obtaining it had to be different. The setting had to be taken into consideration and the autonomy of the subject had to be respected at all times. In areas of high illiteracy, and where understanding of the subject was likely to be a problem, there was an added responsibility placed on the researcher to devise innovative ways of carrying out the study, taking into consideration the peculiarities of the environment.
Conclusion: The ethical issues for IC were the same, irrespective of where the research was conducted. However, because the backgrounds, setting, and knowledge of populations differed, there was the need to be similarly sensitive in obtaining consent. The problems of obtaining genuine IC were not limited to developing countries." (abstract)

Creatieve commentaar:

Dit is een artikel over de ethische aspecten waar onderzoekers mee te maken krijgen (of rekening mee zouden moeten houden) bij het recruteren van vrijwilligers voor klinische studies in ontwikkelingslanden. Toestemming krijgen van de vrijwilliger mag niet voldoende zijn, hij/zij moet ook ten volle begrijpen wat de studie of onderzoeksproject inhoudt. De nadruk wordt vooral gelegd op de verstaanbaarheid van het het "informed consent" (IC): de gangbare IC documenten en de gebruikte terminologie zijn te complex. Wat ik me afvraag is of diezelfde problematiek ook niet speelt in zogenaamde ontwikkelde landen en of hierover ook specifieke studies gedaan zijn.