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Obtaining informed consent in the teaching nursing home
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|September 1, 1983
Summary
Obtaining informed consent for clinical research in nursing homes is challenging due to patient factors and invasive procedures. However, with careful consideration, informed consent is achievable even in complex geriatric care settings.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Research Ethics
Background:
- Informed consent is crucial for ethical clinical research.
- Geriatric populations present unique challenges in the informed consent process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To observe and analyze the process of obtaining informed consent for clinical research involving geriatric patients.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to informed consent in a teaching nursing home setting.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of consent procedures for two clinical research protocols.
- Involvement of patients, families, and research staff at the Jewish Institute for Geriatric Care.
Main Results:
- Patients and families were hesitant to consent to procedures more invasive than venipuncture.
- Cognitive, physical, and psychological factors impaired patient comprehension.
- Written consent could be refused despite prior verbal agreement; incompetent patients could override family consent.
Conclusions:
- Despite significant challenges, obtaining informed consent in a teaching nursing home setting is feasible.
- Addressing patient comprehension and procedural invasiveness is key to successful informed consent.