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Akyüz K, Goisauf M, Martin GM, Mayrhofer MT, Antoniou S, Charalambidou G, Deltas C, Malatras A, Papagregoriou G, Stefanou C, Voutounou M. Risk mapping for better governance in biobanking: the case of biobank.cy. Front Genet 2024; 15:1397156. [PMID: 38948356 PMCID: PMC11211562 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1397156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Risk governance is central for the successful and ethical operation of biobanks and the continued social license for being custodians of samples and data. Risks in biobanking are often framed as risks for participants, whereas the biobank's risks are often considered as technical ones. Risk governance relies on identifying, assessing, mitigating and communicating all risks based on technical and standardized procedures. However, within such processes, biobank staff are often involved tangentially. In this study, the aim has been to conduct a risk mapping exercise bringing biobank staff as key actors into the process, making better sense of emerging structure of biobanks. Methods: Based on the qualitative research method of situational analysis as well as the card-based discussion and stakeholder engagement processes, risk mapping was conducted at the biobank setting as an interactive engagement exercise. The analyzed material comprises mainly of moderated group discussions. Results: The findings from the risk mapping activity are framed through an organismic metaphor: the biobank as a growing, living organism in a changing environment, where trust and sustainability are cross-cutting elements in making sense of the risks. Focusing on the situatedness of the dynamics within biobanking activity highlights the importance of prioritizing relations at the core of risk governance and promoting ethicality in the biobanking process by expanding the repertoire of considered risks. Conclusion: With the organismic metaphor, the research brings the diverse group of biobank staff to the central stage for risk governance, highlighting how accounting for such diversity and interdependencies at the biobank setting is a prerequisite for an adaptive risk governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaya Akyüz
- Department of ELSI Services and Research, BBMRI-ERIC, Graz, Austria
| | - Melanie Goisauf
- Department of ELSI Services and Research, BBMRI-ERIC, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Stella Antoniou
- Biobank.cy Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Georgia Charalambidou
- Biobank.cy Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Constantinos Deltas
- Biobank.cy Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, Nicosia, Cyprus
- University of Cyprus Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Apostolos Malatras
- Biobank.cy Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Gregory Papagregoriou
- Biobank.cy Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Charalambos Stefanou
- Biobank.cy Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Mariel Voutounou
- Biobank.cy Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Malakar Y, Lacey J, Twine NA, McCrea R, Bauer DC. Balancing the safeguarding of privacy and data sharing: perceptions of genomic professionals on patient genomic data ownership in Australia. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:506-512. [PMID: 36631540 PMCID: PMC11061115 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01273-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
There are inherent complexities and tensions in achieving a responsible balance between safeguarding patients' privacy and sharing genomic data for advancing health and medical science. A growing body of literature suggests establishing patient genomic data ownership, enabled by blockchain technology, as one approach for managing these priorities. We conducted an online survey, applying a mixed methods approach to collect quantitative (using scale questions) and qualitative data (using open-ended questions). We explored the views of 117 genomic professionals (clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, bioinformaticians, and researchers) towards patient data ownership in Australia. Data analysis revealed most professionals agreed that patients have rights to data ownership. However, there is a need for a clearer understanding of the nature and implications of data ownership in this context as genomic data often is subject to collective ownership (e.g., with family members and laboratories). This research finds that while the majority of genomic professionals acknowledge the desire for patient data ownership, bioinformaticians and researchers expressed more favourable views than clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors, suggesting that their views on this issue may be shaped by how closely they interact with patients as part of their professional duties. This research also confirms that stronger health system infrastructure is a prerequisite for enabling patient data ownership, which needs to be underpinned by appropriate digital infrastructure (e.g., central vs. decentralised data storage), patient identity ownership (e.g., limited vs. self-sovereign identity), and policy at both federal and state levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwan Malakar
- Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Justine Lacey
- Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Natalie A Twine
- Transformational Bioinformatics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Australia
| | - Rod McCrea
- Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Denis C Bauer
- Transformational Bioinformatics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Australia
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Doan X, Rossi A, Botes M, Selzer A. Comparing Attitudes Toward Different Consent Mediums: Semistructured Qualitative Study. JMIR Hum Factors 2024; 11:e53113. [PMID: 38687983 PMCID: PMC11094594 DOI: 10.2196/53113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As consent for data sharing evolves with the digital age, plain-text consent is not the only format in which information can be presented. However, designing a good consent form is highly challenging. The addition of graphics, video, and other mediums to use can vary widely in effectiveness; and improper use can be detrimental to users. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the expectations and experiences of adults toward consent given in infographic, video, text, newsletter, and comic forms in a health data sharing scenario to better understand the appropriateness of different mediums and identify elements of each medium that most affect engagement with the content. METHODS We designed mock consent forms in infographic, video, text, newsletter, and comic versions. Semistructured interviews were conducted with adults who were interviewed about their expectations for consent and were then shown each consent medium and asked about engaging elements across mediums, preferences for consent mediums, and the value of document quality criteria. We transcribed and qualitatively co-coded to identify themes and perform analyses. RESULTS We interviewed 24 users and identified different thematic archetypes based on participant goals, such as the Trust Seeker, who considered their own understanding and trust in organizations when making decisions. The infographic was ranked first for enhancing understanding, prioritizing information, and maintaining the proper audience fit for serious consent in health data sharing scenarios. In addition, specific elements such as structure, step-by-step organization, and readability were preferred engaging elements. CONCLUSIONS We identified archetypes to better understand user needs and elements that can be targeted to enhance user engagement with consent forms; this can help inform the design of more effective consent in the future. Overall, preferences for mediums are highly contextual, and more research should be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xengie Doan
- SnT, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Arianna Rossi
- LIDER Lab, DIRPOLIS, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marietjie Botes
- SnT, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Annika Selzer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology, Darmstadt, Germany
- ATHENE, National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity, Darmstadt, Germany
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Greaves K, King A, Bourne Z, Welsh J, Morgan M, Tolosa MX, Bonner C, Stanton T, Fryer M, Korda R. Participant characteristics and reasons for non-consent to health information linkage for research: experiences from the ATHENA COVID-19 study. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:22. [PMID: 38262998 PMCID: PMC10807191 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-023-02370-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The linkage of primary care, hospital and other health registry data is a global goal, and a consent-based approach is often used. Understanding the attitudes of why participants take part is important, yet little is known about reasons for non-participation. The ATHENA COVID-19 feasibility study investigated: 1) health outcomes of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Queensland, Australia through primary care health data linkage using consent, and 2) created a cohort of patients willing to be re-contacted in future to participate in clinical trials. This report describes the characteristics of participants declining to participate and reasons for non-consent. METHODS Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2020, were invited to consent to having their primary healthcare data extracted from their GP into a Queensland Health database and linked to other data sets for ethically approved research. Patients were also asked to consent to future recontact for participation in clinical trials. Outcome measures were proportions of patients consenting to data extraction, permission to recontact, and reason for consent decline. RESULTS Nine hundred and ninety-five participants were approached and 842(85%) reached a consent decision. 581(69%), 615(73%) and 629(75%) consented to data extraction, recontact, or both, respectively. Mean (range) age of consenters and non-consenters were 50.6(22-77) and 46.1(22-77) years, respectively. Adjusting for age, gender and remoteness, older participants were more likely to consent than younger (aOR 1.02, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.03). The least socio-economically disadvantaged were more likely to consent than the most disadvantaged (aOR 2.20, 95% 1.33 to 3.64). There was no difference in consent proportions regarding gender or living in more remote regions. The main reasons for non-consent were 'not interested in research' (37%), 'concerns about privacy' (15%), 'not registered with a GP' (8%) and 'too busy/no time' (7%). 'No reason' was given in 20%. CONCLUSION Younger participants and the more socio-economically deprived are more likely to non-consent to primary care data linkage. Lack of patient interest in research, time required to participate and privacy concerns, were the most common reasons cited for non-consent. Future health care data linkage studies addressing these issues may prove helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Greaves
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland Health, 6 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia.
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
| | - Amanda King
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland Health, 6 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia.
| | - Zoltan Bourne
- Hinterland Health, Maple Street, Maleny, QLD, 4551, Australia
| | - Jennifer Welsh
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Mark Morgan
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - M Ximena Tolosa
- Queensland Department of Health, Communicable Disease Branch, 15 Butterfield St, Herston, QLD, 4001, Australia
| | - Carissa Bonner
- School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Tony Stanton
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland Health, 6 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia
| | - Michael Fryer
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland Health, 6 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia
| | - Rosemary Korda
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
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Oliva A, Kaphle A, Reguant R, Sng LMF, Twine NA, Malakar Y, Wickramarachchi A, Keller M, Ranbaduge T, Chan EKF, Breen J, Buckberry S, Guennewig B, Haas M, Brown A, Cowley MJ, Thorne N, Jain Y, Bauer DC. Future-proofing genomic data and consent management: a comprehensive review of technology innovations. Gigascience 2024; 13:giae021. [PMID: 38837943 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomic information is increasingly used to inform medical treatments and manage future disease risks. However, any personal and societal gains must be carefully balanced against the risk to individuals contributing their genomic data. Expanding our understanding of actionable genomic insights requires researchers to access large global datasets to capture the complexity of genomic contribution to diseases. Similarly, clinicians need efficient access to a patient's genome as well as population-representative historical records for evidence-based decisions. Both researchers and clinicians hence rely on participants to consent to the use of their genomic data, which in turn requires trust in the professional and ethical handling of this information. Here, we review existing and emerging solutions for secure and effective genomic information management, including storage, encryption, consent, and authorization that are needed to build participant trust. We discuss recent innovations in cloud computing, quantum-computing-proof encryption, and self-sovereign identity. These innovations can augment key developments from within the genomics community, notably GA4GH Passports and the Crypt4GH file container standard. We also explore how decentralized storage as well as the digital consenting process can offer culturally acceptable processes to encourage data contributions from ethnic minorities. We conclude that the individual and their right for self-determination needs to be put at the center of any genomics framework, because only on an individual level can the received benefits be accurately balanced against the risk of exposing private information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Oliva
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 3/160 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Anubhav Kaphle
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 3/160 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Roc Reguant
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 3/160 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Letitia M F Sng
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 3/160 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Natalie A Twine
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 3/160 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Yuwan Malakar
- Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Brisbane, 41 Boggo Rd, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Anuradha Wickramarachchi
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 3/160 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Marcel Keller
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 5/13 Garden St, Eveleigh NSW 2015, Australia
| | - Thilina Ranbaduge
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Building 101, Clunies Ross St, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Eva K F Chan
- NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia
| | - James Breen
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Sam Buckberry
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Boris Guennewig
- Sydney Medical School, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 94 Mallett St, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Matilda Haas
- Australian Genomics, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Alex Brown
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Mark J Cowley
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Level 4, Lowy Cancer Research Centre Corner Botany & High Streets UNSW Kensington Campus UNSW Sydney, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Cnr High St & Botany St, UNSW Sydney, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Natalie Thorne
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, Melbourne 1G, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute/1G Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, 1G, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute/1G Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Yatish Jain
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Level 3/160 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Applied BioSciences 205B Culloden Rd Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Denis C Bauer
- Applied BioSciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Applied BioSciences 205B Culloden Rd Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, MQ Health General Practice - Macquarie University, Suite 305, Level 3/2 Technology Pl, Macquarie Park NSW 2109, Australia
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Gate 13, Kintore Avenue University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
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Haas MA, Madelli EO, Brown R, Prictor M, Boughtwood T. Evaluation of CTRL: a web application for dynamic consent and engagement with individuals involved in a cardiovascular genetic disorders cohort. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:61-68. [PMID: 37709947 PMCID: PMC10772119 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01454-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been keen interest in whether dynamic consent should be used in health research but few real-world studies have evaluated its use. Australian Genomics piloted and evaluated CTRL ('control'), a digital consent tool incorporating granular, dynamic decision-making and communication for genomic research. Individuals from a Cardiovascular Genetic Disorders Flagship were invited in person (prospective cohort) or by email (retrospective cohort) to register for CTRL after initial study recruitment. Demographics, consent choices, experience surveys and website analytics were analysed using descriptive statistics. Ninety-one individuals registered to CTRL (15.5% of the prospective cohort and 11.8% of the retrospective cohort). Significantly more males than females registered when invited retrospectively, but there was no difference in age, gender, or education level between those who did and did not use CTRL. Variation in individual consent choices about secondary data use and return of results supports the desirability of providing granular consent options. Robust conclusions were not drawn from satisfaction, trust, decision regret and knowledge outcome measures: differences between CTRL and non-CTRL cohorts did not emerge. Analytics indicate CTRL is acceptable, although underutilised. This is one of the first studies evaluating uptake and decision making using online consent tools and will inform refinement of future designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda A Haas
- Australian Genomics, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - Evanthia O Madelli
- Australian Genomics, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Rosie Brown
- Australian Genomics, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Megan Prictor
- Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Tiffany Boughtwood
- Australian Genomics, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
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Sánchez MC, Hernández Clemente JC, García López FJ. Public and Patients' Perspectives Towards Data and Sample Sharing for Research: An Overview of Empirical Findings. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2023; 18:319-345. [PMID: 37936410 DOI: 10.1177/15562646231212644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to review the attitudes and perspectives of the public and patients towards the sharing of data and biospecimens for research and to identify common dimensions, regardless of setting. Our review included systematic, scoping or thematic reviews of empirical studies retrieved from Medline (PubMed interface), Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest and Cochrane Reviews. The main themes identified and synthesised across the 14 reviews were readiness and motivations; potential risks and safeguards; trust, transparency and accountability; autonomy and preferred type of consent; and factors influencing data and biospecimen sharing and consent. Sociodemographic factors and research and individual context remain relevant influencing factors in all settings, while preferences for types of consent are highly heterogeneous. Trusted environments and adapted consent options with participant engagement are relevant to improve research participation.
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8
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Lee AR, Koo D, Kim IK, Lee E, Kim HH, Yoo S, Kim JH, Choi EK, Lee HY. Identifying facilitators of and barriers to the adoption of dynamic consent in digital health ecosystems: a scoping review. BMC Med Ethics 2023; 24:107. [PMID: 38041034 PMCID: PMC10693132 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-023-00988-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional consent practices face ethical challenges in continuously evolving digital health environments due to their static, one-time nature. Dynamic consent offers a promising solution, providing adaptability and flexibility to address these ethical concerns. However, due to the immaturity of the concept and accompanying technology, dynamic consent has not yet been widely used in practice. This study aims to identify the facilitators of and barriers to adopting dynamic consent in real-world scenarios. METHODS This scoping review, conducted in December 2022, adhered to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, focusing on dynamic consent within the health domain. A comprehensive search across Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus yielded 22 selected articles based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS The facilitators for the adoption of dynamic consent in digital health ecosystems were the provision of multiple consent modalities, personalized alternatives, continuous communication, and the dissemination of up-to-date information. Nevertheless, several barriers, such as consent fatigue, the digital divide, complexities in system implementation, and privacy and security concerns, needed to be addressed. This study also investigated current technological advancements and suggested considerations for further research aimed at resolving the remaining challenges surrounding dynamic consent. CONCLUSIONS Dynamic consent emerges as an ethically advantageous method for digital health ecosystems, driven by its adaptability and support for continuous, two-way communication between data subjects and consumers. Ethical implementation in real-world settings requires the development of a robust technical framework capable of accommodating the diverse needs of stakeholders, thereby ensuring ethical integrity and data privacy in the evolving digital health landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ah Ra Lee
- Office of eHealth Research and Business, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongjun Koo
- Office of eHealth Research and Business, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Kon Kim
- School of Computer Science & Engineering, College of IT Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjoo Lee
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ho Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyoung Yoo
- Office of eHealth Research and Business, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Public Health Medical Services, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Kyung Choi
- Department of Medical Humanities and Medical Education, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Young Lee
- Office of eHealth Research and Business, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
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Biasiotto R, Viberg Johansson J, Alemu MB, Romano V, Bentzen HB, Kaye J, Ancillotti M, Blom JMC, Chassang G, Hallinan D, Jónsdóttir GA, Monasterio Astobiza A, Rial-Sebbag E, Rodríguez-Arias D, Shah N, Skovgaard L, Staunton C, Tschigg K, Veldwijk J, Mascalzoni D. Public Preferences for Digital Health Data Sharing: Discrete Choice Experiment Study in 12 European Countries. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e47066. [PMID: 37995125 PMCID: PMC10704315 DOI: 10.2196/47066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With new technologies, health data can be collected in a variety of different clinical, research, and public health contexts, and then can be used for a range of new purposes. Establishing the public's views about digital health data sharing is essential for policy makers to develop effective harmonization initiatives for digital health data governance at the European level. OBJECTIVE This study investigated public preferences for digital health data sharing. METHODS A discrete choice experiment survey was administered to a sample of European residents in 12 European countries (Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) from August 2020 to August 2021. Respondents answered whether hypothetical situations of data sharing were acceptable for them. Each hypothetical scenario was defined by 5 attributes ("data collector," "data user," "reason for data use," "information on data sharing and consent," and "availability of review process"), which had 3 to 4 attribute levels each. A latent class model was run across the whole data set and separately for different European regions (Northern, Central, and Southern Europe). Attribute relative importance was calculated for each latent class's pooled and regional data sets. RESULTS A total of 5015 completed surveys were analyzed. In general, the most important attribute for respondents was the availability of information and consent during health data sharing. In the latent class model, 4 classes of preference patterns were identified. While respondents in 2 classes strongly expressed their preferences for data sharing with opposing positions, respondents in the other 2 classes preferred not to share their data, but attribute levels of the situation could have had an impact on their preferences. Respondents generally found the following to be the most acceptable: a national authority or academic research project as the data user; being informed and asked to consent; and a review process for data transfer and use, or transfer only. On the other hand, collection of their data by a technological company and data use for commercial communication were the least acceptable. There was preference heterogeneity across Europe and within European regions. CONCLUSIONS This study showed the importance of transparency in data use and oversight of health-related data sharing for European respondents. Regional and intraregional preference heterogeneity for "data collector," "data user," "reason," "type of consent," and "review" calls for governance solutions that would grant data subjects the ability to control their digital health data being shared within different contexts. These results suggest that the use of data without consent will demand weighty and exceptional reasons. An interactive and dynamic informed consent model combined with oversight mechanisms may be a solution for policy initiatives aiming to harmonize health data use across Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Biasiotto
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jennifer Viberg Johansson
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Melaku Birhanu Alemu
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Virginia Romano
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Heidi Beate Bentzen
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Research Center for Computers and Law, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jane Kaye
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies (HeLEX), Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mirko Ancillotti
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johanna Maria Catharina Blom
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gauthier Chassang
- Ethics and Biosciences Platform (Genotoul Societal), Genotoul, Centre for Epidemiology and Research in Population Health, UMR1295, Inserm, Toulouse, France
- Centre for Epidemiology and Research in Population Health, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm)/Toulouse University, Toulouse, France
| | - Dara Hallinan
- FIZ Karlsruhe - Leibniz-Institut für Informationsinfrastruktur, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | | | | | - Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag
- Ethics and Biosciences Platform (Genotoul Societal), Genotoul, Centre for Epidemiology and Research in Population Health, UMR1295, Inserm, Toulouse, France
- Centre for Epidemiology and Research in Population Health, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm)/Toulouse University, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Nisha Shah
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies (HeLEX), Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lea Skovgaard
- Centre for Medical STS (MeST), Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ciara Staunton
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- School of Law, University of Kwazulunatal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Katharina Tschigg
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Jorien Veldwijk
- Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Erasmus Choice Modeling Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Deborah Mascalzoni
- Institute for Biomedicine (Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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10
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Yanes T, Sullivan A, Barbaro P, Brion K, Hollway G, Peake J, McNaughton P. Evaluation and pilot testing of a multidisciplinary model of care to mainstream genomic testing for paediatric inborn errors of immunity. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:1125-1132. [PMID: 36864115 PMCID: PMC10545723 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01321-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular diagnosis of paediatric inborn errors of immunity (IEI) influences management decisions and alters clinical outcomes, through early use of targeted and curative therapies. The increasing demand for genetic services has resulted in growing waitlists and delayed access to vital genomic testing. To address this issue, the Queensland Paediatric Immunology and Allergy Service, Australia, developed and evaluated a mainstreaming model of care to support point-of-care genomic testing for paediatric IEI. Key features of the model of care included a genetic counsellor embedded in the department, state-wide multidisciplinary team meetings, and variant prioritisation meetings to review whole exome sequencing (WES) data. Of the 62 children presented at the MDT, 43 proceeded to WES, of which nine (21%) received a confirmed molecular diagnosis. Changes to treatment and management were reported for all children with a positive result, including curative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n = 4). Four children were also referred for further investigations of variants of uncertain significance or additional testing due to ongoing suspicion of genetic cause after negative result. Demonstrating engagement with the model of care, 45% of the patients were from regional areas and on average, 14 healthcare providers attended the state-wide multidisciplinary team meetings. Parents demonstrated understanding of the implications of testing, reported minimal decisional regret post-test, and identified benefits to genomic testing. Overall, our program demonstrated the feasibility of a mainstreaming model of care for paediatric IEI, improved access to genomic testing, facilitated treatment decision-making, and was acceptable to parents and clinicians alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane Yanes
- Queensland Paediatric Immunology and Allergy Service, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia.
- The Frazer Institute, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| | - Anna Sullivan
- Queensland Paediatric Immunology and Allergy Service, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Pasquale Barbaro
- Queensland Paediatric Haematology Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
- Queensland Children's Hospital Laboratory, Pathology Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Kristian Brion
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Pathology Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
| | - Georgina Hollway
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Pathology Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
| | - Jane Peake
- Queensland Paediatric Immunology and Allergy Service, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peter McNaughton
- Queensland Paediatric Immunology and Allergy Service, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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11
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Stark Z, Boughtwood T, Haas M, Braithwaite J, Gaff CL, Goranitis I, Spurdle AB, Hansen DP, Hofmann O, Laing N, Metcalfe S, Newson AJ, Scott HS, Thorne N, Ward RL, Dinger ME, Best S, Long JC, Grimmond SM, Pearson J, Waddell N, Barnett CP, Cook M, Field M, Fielding D, Fox SB, Gecz J, Jaffe A, Leventer RJ, Lockhart PJ, Lunke S, Mallett AJ, McGaughran J, Mileshkin L, Nones K, Roscioli T, Scheffer IE, Semsarian C, Simons C, Thomas DM, Thorburn DR, Tothill R, White D, Dunwoodie S, Simpson PT, Phillips P, Brion MJ, Finlay K, Quinn MC, Mattiske T, Tudini E, Boggs K, Murray S, Wells K, Cannings J, Sinclair AH, Christodoulou J, North KN. Australian Genomics: Outcomes of a 5-year national program to accelerate the integration of genomics in healthcare. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:419-426. [PMID: 36868206 PMCID: PMC10027474 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Australian Genomics is a national collaborative partnership of more than 100 organizations piloting a whole-of-system approach to integrating genomics into healthcare, based on federation principles. In the first five years of operation, Australian Genomics has evaluated the outcomes of genomic testing in more than 5,200 individuals across 19 rare disease and cancer flagship studies. Comprehensive analyses of the health economic, policy, ethical, legal, implementation and workforce implications of incorporating genomics in the Australian context have informed evidence-based change in policy and practice, resulting in national government funding and equity of access for a range of genomic tests. Simultaneously, Australian Genomics has built national skills, infrastructure, policy, and data resources to enable effective data sharing to drive discovery research and support improvements in clinical genomic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zornitza Stark
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Tiffany Boughtwood
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Childhood Dementia Initiative, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matilda Haas
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Braithwaite
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; International Society for Quality in Health Care, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clara L Gaff
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ilias Goranitis
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Health Economics Unit, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amanda B Spurdle
- Population Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David P Hansen
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Oliver Hofmann
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nigel Laing
- Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sylvia Metcalfe
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hamish S Scott
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Natalie Thorne
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robyn L Ward
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marcel E Dinger
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephanie Best
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Janet C Long
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sean M Grimmond
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John Pearson
- Genome Informatics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Christopher P Barnett
- Paediatric and Reproductive Genetics Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Matthew Cook
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Field
- Genetics of Learning Disability Service, Hunter Genetics, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - David Fielding
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen B Fox
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Pathology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard J Leventer
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul J Lockhart
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Bruce Lefroy Centre, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sebastian Lunke
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J Mallett
- KidGen Collaborative, Australian Genomics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Renal Medicine, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, QLD, Australia; College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Julie McGaughran
- Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Linda Mileshkin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katia Nones
- Medical Genomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tony Roscioli
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Randwick Genomics Laboratory, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher Semsarian
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology at Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cas Simons
- Centre for Population Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David M Thomas
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David R Thorburn
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard Tothill
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology and Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Deborah White
- Blood Cancer Program, Precision Cancer Medicine Theme, The South Australian Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sally Dunwoodie
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter T Simpson
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peta Phillips
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marie-Jo Brion
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Keri Finlay
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Cj Quinn
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Tessa Mattiske
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Emma Tudini
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Health Economics Unit, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kirsten Boggs
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Sean Murray
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Mito Foundation, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kathy Wells
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Breast Cancer Network Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John Cannings
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; ProCan, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew H Sinclair
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John Christodoulou
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathryn N North
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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12
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Horn R, Merchant J, Bale M, Chneiweiss H, Hallowell N, Kerasidou A, Lucassen A, Montgomery J, Parker M, Patch C, Winkler E. Managing expectations, rights, and duties in large-scale genomics initiatives: a European comparison. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:142-147. [PMID: 36471117 PMCID: PMC9734861 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01247-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Horn
- The Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Ethics of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Jennifer Merchant
- CNRS Law & Humanities/CERSA UMR-7109, University Paris-Panthéon-Assas, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
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13
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Heynemann S, Lipworth W, McLachlan SA, Philip J, John T, Kerridge I. When research becomes practice: the concept of the therapeutic misconception and challenges to consent in clinical trials. Intern Med J 2023; 53:271-274. [PMID: 36822606 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Many factors influence patients' decisions to participate in clinical trials. For many, the primary motivation is the possibility that they might derive some benefit from participation. This is particularly true for patients with limited treatment options, such as patients with advanced cancer. While this is not surprising, it is potentially problematic if patients fail to recognise the distinction between research and clinical care (a phenomenon known as the 'therapeutic misconception'). This is becoming increasingly problematic as clinical trial designs become more complex, as clinical trials become more embedded in routine clinical care, and as trials are increasingly used by patients and clinicians to access new diagnostic platforms and therapies. We outline some of these recent trends, focusing on the cancer clinical trials landscape as this provides a good case study of the phenomenon. We conclude by making preliminary suggestions that changes to the consent process, perhaps using 'dynamic consent' platforms, might help to mitigate the therapeutic misconception and note the need for further research to guide strategies for improving communication and decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Heynemann
- Sydney Health Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wendy Lipworth
- Department of Philosophy, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sue-Anne McLachlan
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Philip
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tom John
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian Kerridge
- Sydney Health Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Philosophy, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Haematology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Muller SHA, van Thiel GJMW, Mostert M, van Delden JJM. Dynamic consent, communication and return of results in large-scale health data reuse: Survey of public preferences. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231190997. [PMID: 37599899 PMCID: PMC10434987 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231190997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic consent forms a comprehensive, tailored approach for interacting with research participants. We conducted a survey study to inquire how research participants evaluate the elements of consent, information provision, communication and return of results within dynamic consent in a hypothetical health data reuse scenario. We distributed a digital questionnaire among a purposive sample of patient panel members. Data were analysed using descriptive and nonparametric inferential statistics. Respondents favoured the potential to manage changing consent preferences over time. There was much agreement between people favouring closer and more specific control over data reuse approval and those in favour of broader approval, facilitated by an opt-out system or an independent data reuse committee. People want to receive more information about reuse, outcomes and return of results. Respondents supported an interactive model of research participation, welcoming regular, diverse and interactive forms of communication, like a digital communication platform. Approval for reuse and providing meaningful information, including meaningful return of results, are intricately related to facilitating better communication. Respondents favoured return of actionable research results. These findings emphasize the potential of dynamic consent for enabling participants to maintain control over how their data are being used for which purposes by whom. Allowing different options to shape a dynamic consent interface in health data reuse in a personalized manner is pivotal to accommodate plurality in a flexible though robust manner. Interaction via dynamic consent enables participants to tailor the elements of participation they deem relevant to their own preferences, engaging diverse perspectives, interests and preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam HA Muller
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ghislaine JMW van Thiel
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Menno Mostert
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes JM van Delden
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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15
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Tamuhla T, Tiffin N, Allie T. An e-consent framework for tiered informed consent for human genomic research in the global south, implemented as a REDCap template. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:119. [PMID: 36434585 PMCID: PMC9694827 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00860-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Research involving human participants requires their consent, and it is common practice to capture consent information on paper and store those hard copies, presenting issues such as long-term storage requirements, inefficient retrieval of consent forms for reference or future use, and the potential for transcription errors when transcribing captured informed consent. There have been calls to move to electronic capture of the consent provided by research participants (e-consent) as a way of addressing these issues. A tiered framework for e-consent was designed using the freely available features in the inbuilt REDCap e-consent module. We implemented 'branching logic', 'wet signature' and 'auto-archiver' features to the main informed consent and withdrawal of consent documents. The branching logic feature streamlines the consent process by making follow-up information available depending on participant response, the 'wet signature' feature enables a timestamped electronic signature to be appended to the e-consent documents and the 'auto-archiver' allows for PDF copies of the e-consent documents to be stored in the database. When designing the content layout, we provided example participant information text which can be modified as required. Emphasis was placed on the flow of information to optimise participant understanding and this was achieved by merging the consent and participant information into one document where the consent questions were asked immediately after the corresponding participant information. In addition, we have provided example text for a generic human genomic research study, which can be easily edited and modified according to specific requirements. Building informed consent protocols and forms without prior experience can be daunting, so we have provided researchers with a REDCap template that can be directly incorporated into REDCap databases. It prompts researchers about the types of consent they can request for genomics studies and assists them with suggestions for the language they might use for participant information and consent questions. The use of this tiered e-consent module can ensure the accurate and efficient electronic capture and storage of the consents given by participants in a format that can be easily queried and can thus facilitate ethical and effective onward sharing of data and samples whilst upholding individual participant preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsaone Tamuhla
- Division of Computational Biology, Integrative Biomedical Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicki Tiffin
- Division of Computational Biology, Integrative Biomedical Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Taryn Allie
- Division of Computational Biology, Integrative Biomedical Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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16
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The more you do it, the easier it gets: using behaviour change theory to support health care professionals offering reproductive genetic carrier screening. Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 31:430-444. [PMID: 36424524 PMCID: PMC9686264 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01224-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in genomic sequencing have improved the accessibility of reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS). As awareness and interest grows, non-genetic health care professionals are increasingly offering RGCS to consumers. We conducted a qualitative interview study informed by behaviour change theory to identify influences on health care professionals considered as 'early adopters' offering RGCS through Mackenzie's Mission, an Australian national research study investigating the implementation of free RGCS to couple's preconception or in early pregnancy. Interviews were deductively analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework to examine barriers and enabling factors. In total, we interviewed 31 health care professionals, who were primarily general practitioners (n = 23) offering RGCS through Mackenzie's Mission. Upon analysis, 15 barriers and 44 enablers to implementation were identified and categorised across three health care professional target behaviours 1. Engaging with RGCS, 2. Identifying eligible patients, and 3. Offering RGCS. Whilst all Theoretical Domains Framework domains were present, barriers were predominantly categorised as 'Environmental Context and Resources' e.g., lack of time, followed by 'Knowledge' e.g., lack of understanding about genetics and 'Beliefs about Capabilities' e.g., concern about giving high risk results to patients. Although health care professionals expressed a preference for offering RGCS through a comprehensive and supported model of care, such as Mackenzie's Mission, barriers remain. By understanding what drives current health care professionals' behaviour towards offering RGCS, behaviour change theory provides an avenue to direct future efforts based on evidence and improve service delivery.
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De Sutter E, Verreydt S, Yskout K, Geerts D, Borry P, Outtier A, Ferrante M, Vandermeulen C, Vanmechelen N, Van der Schueren B, Huys I. Using provocative design to foster electronic informed consent innovation. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2022; 22:296. [PMCID: PMC9669523 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-022-02039-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of technological applications in clinical research, such as electronic informed consent (eIC), is on the rise. The involvement of end users throughout the design process of eIC is of utmost importance to improve the current informed consent process. Methods Using a provocative design, we conducted interviews with 30 clinical research participants. Provotypes were used as a starting base to discuss various aspects relevant to eIC. By providing a medium to encourage divergent thinking, participants’ views and concerns were solicited. Thematic analysis was undertaken using NVivo. Results The majority of participants placed trust in the principal investigator or the hospital to perform the role of eIC hosting party. Differing opinions were reported on the amount of information required related to stakeholders’ access to an eIC system, and thus, to participants’ personal data, to enable trust in an eIC system. Nevertheless, this study indicates a general willingness of participants to share personal data with physicians and pharmaceutical companies on an international level, and to receive requests for new research studies via an eIC system. Participants suggested to tailor an eIC system based upon their preferences, for example, regarding whom they want to share their personal data with. Moreover, they expressed a desire to choose how they can contact the research team, and to indicate which study-related information they would like to receive electronically. In addition, positive opinions were voiced on the integration of a test to assess participants’ understanding before providing their eIC. Conclusions Following a research through design approach, insights have been generated which inform the design of eIC. Provotypes were designed to help participants think beyond what is familiar to them. Study findings revealed that not all situations were perceived as provocative, because of participants’ motivation to advance scientific research and the trust they place in the research team. Nevertheless, the use of provocative design resulted in additional insights, generated by clinical research participants, which could be considered in the further design of eIC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12911-022-02039-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien De Sutter
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stef Verreydt
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Distributed and Secure Software (DistriNet), Department of Computer Science, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Yskout
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Distributed and Secure Software (DistriNet), Department of Computer Science, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Geerts
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven Digital Society Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Outtier
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Ferrante
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Corinne Vandermeulen
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Leuven University Vaccinology Centre, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nele Vanmechelen
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Van der Schueren
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Huys
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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The Australian Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening Project (Mackenzie's Mission): Design and Implementation. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12111781. [PMID: 36579509 PMCID: PMC9698511 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12111781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS) provides people with information about their chance of having children with autosomal recessive or X-linked genetic conditions, enabling informed reproductive decision-making. RGCS is recommended to be offered to all couples during preconception or in early pregnancy. However, cost and a lack of awareness may prevent access. To address this, the Australian Government funded Mackenzie’s Mission—the Australian Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening Project. Mackenzie’s Mission aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of an easily accessible RGCS program, provided free of charge to the participant. In study Phase 1, implementation needs were mapped, and key study elements were developed. In Phase 2, RGCS is being offered by healthcare providers educated by the study team. Reproductive couples who provide consent are screened for over 1200 genes associated with >750 serious, childhood-onset genetic conditions. Those with an increased chance result are provided comprehensive genetic counseling support. Reproductive couples, recruiting healthcare providers, and study team members are also invited to complete surveys and/or interviews. In Phase 3, a mixed-methods analysis will be undertaken to assess the program outcomes, psychosocial implications and implementation considerations alongside an ongoing bioethical analysis and a health economic evaluation. Findings will inform the implementation of an ethically robust RGCS program.
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Stoeklé HC, Hulier-Ammar E, Hervé C. Data Medicine: ‘Broad’ or ‘Dynamic’ Consent? Public Health Ethics 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/phe/phac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The General Data Protection Regulation imposes, at European level, a need to seek express or explicit consent for the processing of health data. In the framework of biomedical research, some favor the use of express ‘broad’ consent, whereas other maintain, or wish to maintain the use of presumed or implicit consent, often referred to as ‘non-opposition’ in conditions in which such consent is still authorized. In our view, broad consent and presumed consent are likely to prove to be easy solutions in the short term but much less relevant in the long term, for both hospital and patients, if the bioethical objective remains the improvement of patient quality of life and/or survival, regardless of the disease considered. Dynamic consent could be the best way to achieve this objective because only this type of consent could improve hospital transparency and increase patient confidence by allaying certain fears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri-Corto Stoeklé
- Department of Ethics and Scientific Integrity, Foch Hospital , Suresnes , France
| | | | - Christian Hervé
- Department of Ethics and Scientific Integrity, Foch Hospital , Suresnes , France
- Medical School, Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University , Montigny-le-Bretonneux , France
- Medical School, Paris Cité University , Paris , France
- International Academy of Medical Ethics and Public Health, Paris Cité University , Paris , France
- Veterinary Academy of France , Paris , France
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20
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Goncharov L, Suominen H, Cook M. Dynamic consent and personalised medicine. Med J Aust 2022; 216:547-549. [PMID: 35611469 PMCID: PMC9544476 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liza Goncharov
- Institute for Communication in Health Care Australian National University Canberra ACT
| | - Hanna Suominen
- Australian National University Canberra ACT
- University of Turku Turku Finland
| | - Matthew Cook
- Australian National University Canberra ACT
- Canberra Health Services Canberra ACT
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21
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Gefenas E, Lekstutiene J, Lukaseviciene V, Hartlev M, Mourby M, Cathaoir KÓ. Controversies between regulations of research ethics and protection of personal data: informed consent at a cross-road. MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2022; 25:23-30. [PMID: 34787769 PMCID: PMC8595272 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-021-10060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper explores some key discrepancies between two sets of normative requirements applicable to the research use of personal data and human biological materials: (a) the data protection regime which follows the application of the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and (b) the Declaration of Helsinki, CIOMS guidelines and other research ethics regulations. One source of this controversy is that the GDPR requires consent to process personal data to be clear, concise, specific and granular, freely given and revocable and therefore has challenged the concept of 'broad consent', which has been widely applied in the context of biobanking. Another source of controversy is the interplay between regulations of research ethics and protection of personal data related to the secondary use of personal data and biological materials. In this case, the GDPR 'research condition' provides an alternative to re-consent for the use of previously collected personal data and biological materials. Although the mentioned controversies have been raised in the legal literature, they have not been explicitly addressed from the research ethics perspective. Should consent be regarded as a priority legal basis for personal data processing in health data research? Can broad consent still be a suitable legal ground for biobanking? What should be the role of research ethics provisions that differ from the GDPR standards, and what should be the role and function of research ethics committees in the changing environment of health data research? These are the ongoing controversies to be explored in the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenijus Gefenas
- Centre for Health Ethics, Law and History, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionis str. 21/27, 03101, Vilnius, LT, Lithuania.
| | - J Lekstutiene
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, LT, Lithuania
| | - V Lukaseviciene
- Centre for Health Ethics, Law and History, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionis str. 21/27, 03101, Vilnius, LT, Lithuania
| | - M Hartlev
- Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Mourby
- Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies (HeLEX), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - K Ó Cathaoir
- Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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22
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Willers C, Lynch T, Chand V, Islam M, Lassere M, March L. A Versatile, Secure, and Sustainable All-in-One Biobank-Registry Data Solution: The A3BC REDCap Model. Biopreserv Biobank 2021; 20:244-259. [PMID: 34807733 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2021.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: A key element in the big data revolution is large-scale biobanking and the associated development of high-quality data collections and supporting informatics solutions. As such, in establishing the Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative (A3BC), we sought to establish a low-cost, nation-scale data management system capable of managing a multisite biobank registry with complex longitudinal sample and data requirements. Materials and Methods: We assessed several international commercial and nonprofit software platforms using standardized system requirement criteria and follow-up interviews. Vendor compliance scoring was prioritized to meet our project-critical requirements. Consumer/end-user codesign was integral to refining our system requirements for optimized adoption. Customization of the selected software solution was performed to optimize field auto-population between participant timepoints and forms, using modules that are transferable and that do not impact core code. Institutional and independent testing was used to ensure data security. Results: We selected the widely used research web application Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), which is "free" (under nonprofit license agreement terms), highly configurable, and customizable to a variety of biobank and registry needs and can be developed/maintained by biobank users with modest IT skill, time, and cost. We created a secure, comprehensive participant-centric biobank-registry database that includes: (1) best practice data security measures (incl. multisite access login using institutional user credentials), (2) permission-to-contact and dynamic itemized electronic consent, (3) a complete chain of custody from consent to longitudinal biospecimen data collection to publication, (4) complex longitudinal patient-reported surveys, (5) integration of record-level extracted/linked participant data, (6) significant form auto-population for streamlined data capture, and (7) native dashboards for operational visualizations. Conclusion: We recommend the versatile, reusable, and sustainable informatics model we have developed in REDCap for prospective chronic disease biobanks or registry biobanks (of local to national complexity) supporting holistic research into disease prediction, precision medicine, and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Willers
- Institute of Bone and Joint Research, The Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tom Lynch
- Institute of Bone and Joint Research, The Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vibhasha Chand
- Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mohammad Islam
- Information and Communications Technology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marissa Lassere
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lyn March
- Institute of Bone and Joint Research, The Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia
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23
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Meiser B, Butow P, Davies G, Napier CE, Schlub TE, Bartley N, Juraskova I, Ballinger ML, Thomas DM, Tucker K, Goldstein D, Biesecker BB, Best MC. Psychological predictors of advanced cancer patients' preferences for return of results from comprehensive tumor genomic profiling. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 188:725-734. [PMID: 34755933 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the psychological predictors of preferences for return of comprehensive tumor genomic profiling (CTGP) results in patients with advanced cancers, enrolled in the Molecular Screening and Therapeutics Program. Patients completed a questionnaire prior to undergoing CTGP. Of the 1434 who completed a questionnaire, 96% would like to receive results that can guide treatment for their cancer, and preference for receiving this type of result was associated with lower tolerance of uncertainty. Sixty-four percent would like to receive results that cannot guide treatment, and lower tolerance of uncertainty, self-efficacy, and perceived importance were associated with this preference. Fifty-nine percent would like to receive variants of unknown significance, which was associated with lower tolerance of uncertainty, higher self-efficacy, and perceived importance. Eighty-six percent wanted to receive germline results that could inform family risk. This was associated with higher self-efficacy, perceived importance, and perceived susceptibility. Although most patients wanted to receive all types of results, given the differing patient preferences regarding the return of results depending on the utility of the different types of results, it appears critical to safeguard patient understanding of result utility to achieve informed patient choices. This should be accompanied by appropriate consent processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Meiser
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of NSW, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phyllis Butow
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Grace Davies
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christine E Napier
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Timothy E Schlub
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicci Bartley
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ilona Juraskova
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mandy L Ballinger
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David M Thomas
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kathy Tucker
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of NSW, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.,Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of NSW, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Megan C Best
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Institute for Ethics and Society, University of Notre Dame Australia, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
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24
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Meiser B, Monnik M, Austin R, Nichols C, Cops E, Salmon L, Spurdle AB, Macrae F, Taylor N, Pachter N, James P, Kaur R. Stakeholder attitudes towards establishing a national genomics registry of inherited cancer predisposition: a qualitative study. J Community Genet 2021; 13:59-73. [PMID: 34727336 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-021-00559-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to describe the acceptability and perceived barriers and enablers to establish a national registry targeting carriers of pathogenic variants in cancer susceptibility genes from stakeholders' perspectives. Such a registry may effectively target carriers to translate existing research findings into optimised clinical care and provide a population-level resource for further clinical research and new gene and therapy discovery. In-depth interviews were conducted with individuals from four stakeholder groups: carriers of pathogenic variants, healthcare professionals, data custodians from the field of familial cancer, and heads of molecular pathology laboratories. Interview data were subjected to a qualitative analysis guided by a thematic analysis framework using NVivo software. A total of 28 individuals were interviewed: 11 carriers, 8 healthcare professionals, 5 laboratory heads, and 4 data custodians. All carriers and healthcare professionals were enthusiastic about the potential research applications of the registry. Carriers described that altruistic motivations provided the foundation of their support of the planned registry. Some carriers felt comfortable with a broad consent (consenting once, prospectively), while others preferred a narrow consent approach (consenting each time data is accessed). Some carriers and data custodians and registry developers also expressed a reluctance to link family member data without appropriate consent. Participants' enthusiasm and support for a national registry herald a productive and responsive research partnership once the registry has been established. Participants' views can be used to inform the approaches to be taken to develop and manage such a registry as an implicit codesign approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Meiser
- Psychosocial Research Group, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia. .,Lowy Cancer Research Centre C25, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Melissa Monnik
- Adult Genetics Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rachel Austin
- Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cassandra Nichols
- Genetic Services of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elisa Cops
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lucinda Salmon
- Clinical Genetics, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda B Spurdle
- Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Finlay Macrae
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Department of Colorectal Medicine and Genetics, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natalie Taylor
- Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas Pachter
- Genetic Services of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Paul James
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rajneesh Kaur
- Psychosocial Research Group, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Bell J, Prictor M, Davenport L, O'Brien L, Wake M. Digital Mega-Studies as a New Research Paradigm: Governing the Health Research of the Future. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2021; 16:344-355. [PMID: 34498950 DOI: 10.1177/15562646211041492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
'Digital Mega-Studies' are entirely or extensively digitised, longitudinal, population-scale initiatives, collecting, storing, and making available individual-level research data of different types and from multiple sources, shaped by technological developments and unforeseeable risks over time. The Australian 'Gen V' project exemplifies this new research paradigm. In 2019, we undertook a multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder process to map Digital Mega-Studies' key characteristics, legal and governance challenges and likely solutions. We conducted large and small group processes within a one-day symposium and directed online synthesis and group prioritisation over subsequent weeks. We present our methods (including elicitation, affinity mapping and prioritisation processes) and findings, proposing six priority governance principles across three areas-data, participation, trust-to support future high-quality, large-scale digital research in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Bell
- Melbourne Law School, 90147University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.,School of Law, 2707University of Warwick, Coventry, West Midlands, UK
| | - Megan Prictor
- Melbourne Law School, 90147University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren Davenport
- 34361Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Lynda O'Brien
- 34361Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Melissa Wake
- 34361Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Liggins Institute, 1415University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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26
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McNeill A. What's new in EJHG in April. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:539-540. [PMID: 33837296 PMCID: PMC8035134 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00841-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alisdair McNeill
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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