In an interesting twist, findings from a new study on schizophrenic patients raise questions about whether individuals with schizophrenia are able to give informed consent when participating in research studies.
In the past, researchers have been most concerned that psychotic symptoms may impair a schizophrenic patient's ability to understand and consent to clinical research studies. Instead, this new study, published in IRB: Ethics & Human Research, found that cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia have the greater affect on ability to give informed consent.
Findings of note:
- 65.5% of schizophrenic individuals made cognitive errors because they had difficulty remembering information about the study.
- 22.6% overemphasized the potential for them to benefit personally from the study.
- There was no evidence to support the idea that psychosis impedes a schizophrenic person's capacity to make a decision about research study participation.
- 90.5% understood that the study was voluntary the first time they heard the information, and all but one understood after hearing the information repeated.
- Among those who made cognitive errors in recalling the information about the study, repeating the relevant information lead to significant improvements in recall for many of them.
Research studies using participants with schizophrenia are crucial to building our understanding of the disorder, but it is also extremely important that participants know what they are agreeing to and are able to give informed consent. This study, and the tips it can offer for improving understanding among schizophrenic research participants, should prove valuable to future research studies.
Read more: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-08/thc-ssf080911.php
