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Using the case-study methodology to teach ethics to public health students
Donna E Howard1, Christine Lothen-Kline, Bradley O Boekeloo
1Department of Public and Community Health at the University of Maryland in College Park, USA. dhoward1@umd.edu
Health Promotion Practice
|April 20, 2004
Summary
This study examined ethical challenges in adolescent risk research. Breaching confidentiality for suicidal ideation reporting in a trial led to a significant decrease in reported ideation.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Research Ethics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Developmental risk research with adolescents presents unique ethical challenges.
- Longitudinal randomized controlled trials require careful consideration of participant safety and confidentiality.
- Balancing the need for comprehensive data with the protection of vulnerable youth is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine ethical principles in adolescent developmental risk research using a case study methodology.
- To describe ethical dilemmas encountered during a longitudinal randomized controlled trial.
- To provide discussion guidelines for navigating ethical issues in intervention research.
Main Methods:
- Case study methodology applied to a longitudinal randomized controlled trial.
- Analysis of ethical dilemmas arising during participant enrollment and trial conduct.
- Implementation and evaluation of a revised protocol regarding confidentiality breaches.
Main Results:
- A significant number of adolescents reported suicidal ideation during initial trial enrollment.
- Institutional Review Board approval was obtained to breach confidentiality in cases of suicidal ideation.
- Amending the consent form to explicitly state confidentiality breaches for suicidal ideation led to a significant decrease in reported ideation.
Conclusions:
- Ethical dilemmas in adolescent research necessitate adaptive protocols.
- Modifying consent forms to address sensitive issues like suicidal ideation can impact reporting rates.
- Case study presentations effectively sensitize researchers and students to ethical considerations in health promotion and disease prevention research.