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Community attitudes towards emergency research and exception from informed consent
Michelle H Biros1, Corey Sargent, Kathleen Miller
1University of Minnesota, Department of Emergency Medicine, 717 Delaware Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415, United States. Biros001@umn.Edu
Resuscitation
|October 13, 2009
Summary
Public support exists for emergency research and a specific clinical trial using exception from informed consent (EFIC). While the concept of EFIC is less favored, its application is more acceptable when individualized.
Area of Science:
- Public health research
- Bioethics
- Clinical trial methodology
Background:
- Emergency research is crucial for public health but faces ethical challenges regarding informed consent.
- Exception from Informed Consent (EFIC) is a mechanism to conduct research in emergencies when obtaining consent is impossible.
- Community engagement is vital for understanding public perceptions of research ethics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess public attitudes towards emergency research.
- To evaluate public acceptance of exception from informed consent (EFIC).
- To gauge community opinion on a specific proposed clinical trial utilizing EFIC.
Main Methods:
- A community survey was conducted at a public venue.
- Participants provided demographic information and opinions on emergency research consent scenarios.
- Statistical analysis (logistic and linear regression) identified factors influencing attitudes.
Main Results:
- The majority supported emergency research (88%) and surrogate consent (78%).
- Exception from informed consent (EFIC) concept had lower support (35%), but its application was more accepted (51%) when considered for oneself.
- The proposed EFIC trial was deemed acceptable (82%), with concerns focused on patient safety, not EFIC itself.
Conclusions:
- This community supports emergency research and the proposed EFIC trial.
- Public acceptance of EFIC increases when presented in the context of a specific trial or personal application.
- Understanding respondent characteristics is key to effective community consultation for research ethics.
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