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Eikemo H, Roten LT, Vaaler AE. Research based on existing clinical data and biospecimens: a systematic study of patients' opinions. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:60. [PMID: 35710552 PMCID: PMC9202664 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00799-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of the present survey was to investigate newly discharged hospital patients’ opinions on secondary use of their hospital data and biospecimens within the context of health research in general and, more specifically, on genetic research, data sharing across borders and cooperation with the health industry. Methods A paper questionnaire was sent to 1049 consecutive newly discharged hospital patients. Results The vast majority of the respondents preferred to be informed (passive consent) or to receive no notification at all for secondary research on their health data and biospecimens (88% and 91% for data and biospecimens respectively). The rest wanted to be asked for active consent. The same trend applied for the other aspects also. 81% of respondents were positive towards genetic research without active consent. 95% were positive towards cooperating with the health industry, and 90% were positive towards data sharing. Conclusions These results suggest that hospital patients generally are very positive to secondary research and support the concept of opting out rather than opting in. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12910-022-00799-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde Eikemo
- Regional Committee for Medical and Health Related Research Ethics Mid Norway, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), REK Midt V/Hilde Eikemo, Postboks 8900, 7491, Torgarden, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Linda Tømmerdal Roten
- Regional Committee for Medical and Health Related Research Ethics Mid Norway, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), REK Midt V/Hilde Eikemo, Postboks 8900, 7491, Torgarden, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arne Einar Vaaler
- Østmarka Department of Psychiatry, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Matsui K, Lie RK, Kita Y. Two methods of obtaining informed consent in a genetic epidemiological study: effects on understanding. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2012; 2:39-48. [PMID: 19385850 DOI: 10.1525/jer.2007.2.3.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
THIS STUDY EVALUATED THE EFFECT ON participant understanding and participation rates of two different approaches to obtaining informed consent, using 2,192 actual research subjects in a genetic cohort study. One group received the routine approach consisting of written materials and an oral explanation. The other group received a more intense approach consisting of educational lectures and group meetings in addition to the routine approach. Subjects in the intense approach group were relatively more likely to read some or all of the explanatory material. Those in the intense group who did not read the material were more likely than those in the routine group to express uncertainty about their understanding of the research. Those in the intense group who read the material perceived that they had a higher level of understanding of the research and this was associated with a higher frequency of volunteering to participate. In contrast, subjects in the routine group were less likely to read the written material, but ironically more likely to assume that they understood what the research was about. These rather paradoxical findings raised questions about what motivates potential research subjects to become sufficiently engaged to seek actual understanding of the research before volunteering.
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Matsui K, Lie RK, Turin TC, Kita Y. A randomized controlled trial of short and standard-length consent forms for a genetic cohort study: is longer better? J Epidemiol 2012; 22:308-16. [PMID: 22447213 PMCID: PMC3798649 DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20110104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although the amount of detail in informed consent documents has increased over time and the documents have therefore become very long, there is little research on whether longer informed consent documents actually result in (1) better informed research subjects or (2) higher consent rates. We therefore conducted an add-on randomized controlled trial to the Takashima Study, a prospective Japanese population-based genetic cohort study, to test the hypothesis that a shorter informed consent form would satisfy both of the above goals. Methods Standard (10 459 words, 11 pages) and short (3602 words, 5 pages) consent forms in Japanese were developed and distributed using cluster-randomization to 293 potential cohort subjects living in 9 medico-social units and 288 subjects in 8 medico-social units, respectively. Results Few differences were found between the 2 groups with regard to outcome measures, including participants’ self-perceived understanding, recall of information, concerns, voluntariness, trust, satisfaction, sense of duty, and consent rates. Conclusions A short informed consent form was no less valid than a standard form with regard to fulfilling ethical requirements and securing the scientific validity of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Matsui
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiologic Informatics Office for Research Ethics, The National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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Peppercorn J, Shapira I, Deshields T, Kroetz D, Friedman P, Spears P, Collyar DE, Shulman LN, Dressler L, Bertagnolli MM. Ethical aspects of participation in the Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Cancer 2012; 118:5060-8. [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Revised: 01/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Abstract
The authors discuss the available data on the effects of communicating aggregate and individual research results on participants, investigators, and the research enterprise.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I Shalowitz
- Bioethics Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
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Green D, Cushman M, Dermond N, Johnson EA, Castro C, Arnett D, Hill J, Manolio TA. Obtaining informed consent for genetic studies: The multiethnic study of atherosclerosis. Am J Epidemiol 2006; 164:845-51. [PMID: 16928727 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwj286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of DNA may yield important information about atherosclerosis. To determine how often study participants' consent to examine DNA is denied and the factors associated with that denial, information was collected on participants in the US Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) during 2000-2004. Permission was sought for preparation of DNA, transformation of cells into cell lines, evaluation of genes related to heart and other health conditions, and access to DNA by private companies. Of the 5,494 participants at entry, 897 (16.3%) refused consent for some items and 247 (4.5%) completely denied consent. At a second examination 18 months later, 819 (15.0%) partially refused and 229 (4.2%) completely denied consent. Age among men (odds ratio per 10 years = 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.54, 0.85; p = 0.004), ethnicity (odds ratio for African American = 2.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.66, 3.32; p < 0.001), and field center (p < 0.001) were associated with complete denial. For those giving partial consent, the most common item refused was access to DNA by private companies (baseline: 99%; second examination: 90%); younger age, male gender, and African-American ethnicity were associated with refusal. The authors concluded that a small percentage of participants in epidemiologic studies refuse consent for DNA studies, and the majority are concerned about sharing their DNA data with industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Green
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Marshall PA, Adebamowo CA, Adeyemo AA, Ogundiran TO, Vekich M, Strenski T, Zhou J, Prewitt TE, Cooper RS, Rotimi CN. Voluntary participation and informed consent to international genetic research. Am J Public Health 2006; 96:1989-95. [PMID: 17018820 PMCID: PMC1751828 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2005.076232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We compared voluntary participation and comprehension of informed consent among individuals of African ancestry enrolled in similarly designed genetic studies of hypertension in the United States and Nigeria. METHODS Survey questionnaires were used to evaluate factors associated with voluntariness (the number of people volunteering) and understanding of the study's genetic purpose. A total of 655 individuals (United States: 348; Nigeria: 307) were interviewed after participation in the genetic studies. RESULTS Most US respondents (99%), compared with 72% of Nigerian respondents, reported being told the study purpose. Fewer than half of the respondents at both sites reported that the study purpose was to learn about genetic inheritance of hypertension. Most respondents indicated that their participation was voluntary. In the United States, 97% reported that they could withdraw, compared with 67% in Nigeria. In Nigeria, nearly half the married women reported asking permission from husbands to enroll in the hypertension study; no respondents sought permission from local elders to participate in the study. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the need for more effective approaches and interventions to improve comprehension of consent for genetic research among ethnically and linguistically diverse populations in all settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Marshall
- Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4976, USA.
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Bookman EB, Langehorne AA, Eckfeldt JH, Glass KC, Jarvik GP, Klag M, Koski G, Motulsky A, Wilfond B, Manolio TA, Fabsitz RR, Luepker RV. Reporting genetic results in research studies: summary and recommendations of an NHLBI working group. Am J Med Genet A 2006; 140:1033-40. [PMID: 16575896 PMCID: PMC2556074 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.31195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Prospective epidemiologic studies aid in identifying genetic variants associated with diseases, health risks, and physiologic traits. These genetic variants may eventually be measured clinically for purposes of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. As evidence of the potential clinical value of such information accrues, research studies face growing pressure to report these results to study participants or their physicians, even before sufficient evidence is available to support widespread screening of asymptomatic persons. There is thus a need to begin to develop consensus on whether and when genetic findings should be reported to participants in research studies. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) convened a Working Group on Reporting Genetic Results in Research Studies to discuss if, when, and how genetic information should be reported to study participants. The Working Group concluded that genetic test results should be reported to study participants when the associated risk for the disease is significant; the disease has important health implications such as premature death or substantial morbidity or has significant reproductive implications; and proven therapeutic or preventive interventions are available. Finally, the Working Group recommended procedures for reporting genetic research results and encouraged increased efforts to create uniform guidelines for this activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony B Bookman
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7934, USA.
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Arar NH, Hazuda H, Steinbach R, Arar MY, Abboud HE. Ethical Issues Associated with Conducting Genetic Family Studies of Complex Disease. Ann Epidemiol 2005; 15:712-9. [PMID: 16157258 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2004.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2004] [Accepted: 09/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine subjects' recognition of the risks and ethical issues associated with enrollment in genetic family studies (GFS) and explore how this recognition affects their informed and voluntary participation. METHODS A cross-sectional study design including both quantitative and qualitative data was employed. Structured interviews using the Contextual Assessment Approach Questionnaire (CAA-Q) were conducted with 246 Mexican American (MA) participants. To gain in-depth understanding of questionnaire responses, semi-structured interviews with 30 participants were conducted. All participants were interviewed before their enrollment in the Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND). RESULTS Subjects' average age was 56 years; 62% were females. Seventy-eight percent of participants were not formally educated beyond high school and 72% reported an annual household income of < or =20,000 dollars. Eighty-five percent agreed to provide researchers with information on relatives' ages, gender, and education. Sixty-five percent of participants were willing to provide identifiable information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers of relatives. Sixty-three percent of participants indicated that there were direct benefits (i.e., supporting research) to disclosing relatives' information. Seventy-six percent stated that there were no risks associated with participation in GFS (e.g., discrimination or confidentiality of genetic information) compared with 10% who said that there were such risks. While discussing potential risks, subjects did not consider these to influence their decision to participate. CONCLUSIONS Subjects enrolled in GFS did not recognize and tended to underestimate the social and cultural risks associated with their participation in GFS. If subjects do not fully comprehend the risks, this raises questions concerning their ability to provide informed consent and to voluntarily participate. We propose a subject-centered approach that views enrollment as an active process in which subjects and recruiters give and receive information on risks and ethical issues related to participation, which enhances protection of the rights and welfare of subjects participating in GFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedal H Arar
- Division of Nephrology/Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE Study of families containing multiple affected individuals is essential for genetic research on the epilepsies, yet practically nothing has been published about methods for identification and recruitment of families or expected participation rates. Here we describe the strategy used for data collection in a genetic linkage study, to provide guidelines for efficient design of new studies. METHODS Potentially eligible families were ascertained from private physicians, clinics, and self-referrals. Participation rates were examined at each step of the recruitment process, according to ascertainment source, initial contact method, gender, and ethnicity. RESULTS Among 320 potentially eligible families identified, only 68 (21%) were successfully enrolled. Contact was established with an index subject in 83% of families, and a screen for eligibility was completed in 88% of these. However, only 54% of screened families were confirmed to be eligible, and of these, only 54% were enrolled. In eligible families, 79% of index subjects agreed to participate; the low family enrollment rates resulted largely from refusals by other family members whose participation was needed for linkage analysis. At each step in the recruitment process, the participation rate was higher in self-referred than in other families. CONCLUSIONS Recruitment of families for genetic studies is labor-intensive; many potentially eligible families may have to be screened for each family enrolled. Recruitment is easier with self-referred families than with those identified through other methods. The introduction of standardized methods for identification of eligible families from clinical settings can improve efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Ottman
- G.H. Sergievsky Center and Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard R Sharp
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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