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Obtaining informed consent from continuing care residents: issues and recommendations.
L Stelmach1, C Konnert, K Dobson
1Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada. lddalzel@ucalgary.ca
Summary
Obtaining informed consent from residents in continuing care facilities presents unique ethical challenges. This article offers guidance for mental health professionals to ensure competence, adequate information, and voluntary consent.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Psychology
- Bioethics
Background:
- Increasing number of older adults in continuing care facilities.
- Growing need for mental health services and research in these settings.
- Ethical challenges in continuing care, especially informed consent.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine challenges in obtaining informed consent from continuing care residents.
- Provide guidelines for mental health professionals on informed consent.
- Ensure ethical practice in mental health care for older adults.
Main Methods:
- Review of ethical issues in continuing care settings.
- Analysis of informed consent requirements (competence, information, voluntariness).
- Development of practical suggestions and guidelines.
Main Results:
- Continuing care settings and resident characteristics complicate informed consent.
- Competence, information provision, and voluntary consent are key challenges.
- Specific strategies are needed to address these complexities.
Conclusions:
- Mental health professionals face significant ethical hurdles in obtaining informed consent in continuing care facilities.
- Adherence to informed consent principles requires tailored approaches.
- Guidelines are essential for ethical mental health practice with this population.