EFFECTS OF INFORMED CONSENT ON RESEARCH PATIENTS AND STUDY RESULTS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Many researchers have been concerned that adherence to rulings about informed consent in clinical research will severely limit patient cooperation and validity of results. Evidence is presented from psychopharmacological studies which suggest that in the setting of the Henry Phipps Psychiatric Clinic of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, the welfare of the patient and the doctor-patient rapport will be better protected in the long run if it is a matter of routine to inform the patient of key aspects of the research; the patient''s preconceived notions and prior experiences determine his expectations to a degree that they are not easily shaken by whatever information is given to him; patients will be likely to accept unusual or even unpleasant research procedures when they are explained with care in the setting of a good doctor-patient relationship; and informed consent often does not limit studies and actually can be a valuable asset to research design.