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Barrio C, Fuentes D, Tibiriçá L, Hernandez M, Helu-Brown P, Golshan S, Palmer BW. Consent for Research Involving Spanish- and English-Speaking Latinx Adults With Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2024; 50:673-683. [PMID: 37962384 PMCID: PMC11059799 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Latinxs are vastly underrepresented in mental health research; one of many contributing factors may be complexities in the research consent process, including language preferences. We examined determinants of comprehension of research consent procedures and tested the effects of a preconsent research schema condition among 180 adults with schizophrenia (60 Latinx-English and 60 Latinx-Spanish preference, and 60 non-Latinx White). STUDY DESIGN Participants were randomly assigned (equal allocation) to an educational session regarding clinical research concepts and processes (schema condition) or to an attention control. Following a subsequent simulated consent procedure for a hypothetical drug trail, comprehension of consent disclosures was measured with 2 standard measures. STUDY RESULTS One-way ANOVAs showed significant medium effect size differences between ethnicity/language groups on both measures of comprehension (η2s = 0.066-0.070). The Latinx-Spanish group showed lower comprehension than non-Latinx White participants; differences between the 2 Latinx groups did not reach statistical significance. Group differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for differences in education, or on scores from structured measures of acculturation, health literacy, or research literacy. Two-way ANOVAs showed no significant main effects for consent procedure on either comprehension measure (Ps > .369; partial η2s < 0.006) and no significant group-by-consent interactions (Ps > .554; partial η2s < 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Although the preconsent procedure was not effective, the results suggest health and research literacy may be targets for reducing disparities in consent comprehension. The onus is on researchers to improve communication of consent information as an important step to addressing health care disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concepción Barrio
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dahlia Fuentes
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lize Tibiriçá
- Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mercedes Hernandez
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas, Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Paula Helu-Brown
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shahrokh Golshan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Research Service, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Barton W Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), San Diego, CA, USA
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Poth A, Penger S, Knebel M, Müller T, Pantel J, Oswald F, Haberstroh J. Empowering patients with dementia to make legally effective decisions: a randomized controlled trial on enhancing capacity to consent to treatment. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:292-300. [PMID: 34989288 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.2024797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: As our society ages, the incidence of age-related diseases increases and with it the number of medical treatments that require informed consent. Capacity to consent is often categorically questioned in persons with dementia (PwD) without appropriate assessment, depriving them of their right to autonomous decision-making. Supportive structures for PwD that comply with legal requirements are lacking. The EmMa project tried to overcome this shortcoming by developing and testing possible supportive measures to enhance the informed consent process for PwD.Method: These enhanced consent procedures (ECPs) were tested in a randomized controlled trial with 40 PwD. It was hypothesized that strengths-based ECPs could improve capacity to consent to a drug treatment in PwD as measured with a semi-structured interview.Results: Against the expectations, no effect of the ECPs on capacity to consent could be found, but the ECPs improved understanding of information in PwD.Conclusion: To empower PwD in clinical settings, however, all aspects of capacity to consent should be targeted with specific aids that are implemented carefully and selectively. More research on possible aids for ECPs is urgently needed in order to enable ethically and legally robust informed consent. In particular, effective ways to improve both reasoning and appreciation are yet to be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Poth
- Psychological Ageing Research (PAR), University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Susanne Penger
- Psychological Ageing Research (PAR), University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Maren Knebel
- Interdisciplinary Ageing Research (IAW), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tanja Müller
- Psychological Ageing Research (PAR), University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Johannes Pantel
- Institute of General Practice in Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Oswald
- Interdisciplinary Ageing Research (IAW), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julia Haberstroh
- Psychological Ageing Research (PAR), University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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Decisional capacity to consent to treatment and research in patients affected by Mild Cognitive Impairment. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Psychogeriatr 2022; 34:529-542. [PMID: 33583459 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610220004056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To perform a meta-analysis of clinical studies on the differences in treatment or research decision-making capacity among patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and healthy comparisons (HCs). DESIGN A systematic search was conducted on Medline/Pubmed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. Standardized mean differences and random-effects model were used in all cases. SETTING The United States, France, Japan, and China. PARTICIPANTS Four hundred and ten patients with MCI, 149 with AD, and 368 HCs were included. MEASUREMENTS The studies we included in the analysis assessed decisional capacity to consent by the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MAcCAT-T), MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR), Capacity to Consent to Treatment Instrument (CCTI), and University of California Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent (UBACC). RESULTS We identified 109 potentially eligible studies from 1672 records, and 7 papers were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that there was significant impairment in a decision-making capacity in MCI patients compared to the HCs group in terms of Understanding (SMD = -1.04, 95% CI: -1.31 to -0.77, P < 0.001; I2 = 52%, P = 0.07), Appreciation (SMD = -0.51, 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.36, P < 0.001; I2 = 0%, P = 0.97), and Reasoning (SMD = -0.62, 95% CI: -0.77, -0.47, P < 0.001; I2=0%, P =0.46). MCI patients scored significantly higher in Understanding (SMD = 1.50, 95% CI: 0.91, 2.09, P = 0.01, I2 = 78%, P = 0.00001) compared to patients affected by AD. CONCLUSIONS Patients affected by MCI are at higher risk of impaired capacity to consent to treatment and research compared to HCs, despite being at lower risk compared to patients affected by AD. Clinicians and researchers need to carefully evaluate decisional capacity in MCI patients providing informed consent.
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Sun W, Matsuoka T, Narumoto J. Decision-Making Support for People With Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review. Front Psychol 2021; 12:750803. [PMID: 34867639 PMCID: PMC8633444 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.750803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The proportion of people with dementia has been increasing yearly, and the decision-making capacity of these people has become a major concern in fields such as the financial industry and in medical settings. In this narrative review, we discuss decision-making in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and we propose the support for decision-making in people with AD, especially financial and medical decision-making. We summarize several hypotheses and theories on the decision-making capacity of people with AD. These include the frontal lobe hypothesis, physiological theory, dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and the Person-Task-Fit (PTF) framework. Both internal and external factors can affect decision-making by people with AD. Internal factors are affected by changes in the brain and neurotransmitters, as well as alterations in cognitive ability and emotion. External factors include task characters, task contents, and situation influence. Since feedback has a significant effect on decision-making capacity, a series of suggestions may be helpful to improve this capacity, such as explicit advice, simple options, pleasant rewards, the Talking Mats approach, memory and organizational aid, support by caregivers, cognitive training and feedback. Thus, in providing decision-making support for people with AD, it is important to identify the internal and external factors that impair this process and to deal with these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyi Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Teruyuki Matsuoka
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jin Narumoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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Paramasivam A, Jaiswal A, Minhas R, Wittich W, Spruyt-Rocks R. Informed Consent or Assent Strategies for Research With Individuals With Deafblindness or Dual Sensory Impairment: A Scoping Review. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl 2021; 3:100115. [PMID: 34179751 PMCID: PMC8212005 DOI: 10.1016/j.arrct.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To synthesize evidence on existing informed consent/assent strategies and processes that enable the participation of individuazls with deafblindness or dual sensory impairment in research. DATA SOURCES Five scientific databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) and other sources such as Google Scholar, Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, and British Journal of Visual Impairment were hand-searched from January 2015 until July 2020. STUDY SELECTION Studies were selected using a priori inclusion criteria of sensory and cognitive disabilities and focused on consent/assent strategies and processes in research within this population. Articles related to the medical or sexual consent processes were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION An Excel spreadsheet was used to extract data from the eligible sources. Discrepancies were resolved in discussion with team members. DATA SYNTHESIS A total of 2163 sources were screened, and 16 articles were included in the review. Seven sources only examined consent strategies, whereas the remaining 8 included a combination of consent/assent and dissent strategies. Using thematic analysis, 3 key themes emerged: consent/assent strategies, researcher capacity, and capacity to consent tools. Key identified strategies included the accessibility of the consent/assent process, building relationships with participants and caregivers, identifying behavioral cues, and communication training for researchers. CONCLUSIONS Despite the absence of literature on consent/assent strategies within the population with deafblindness, the review found promising strategies applied to individuals with other cognitive or sensory disabilities that researchers can adopt. Researchers are encouraged to use best practices in creating an inclusive research environment to include individuals with deafblindness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atul Jaiswal
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Renu Minhas
- DeafBlind Ontario Services, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
| | - Walter Wittich
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Evans CJ, Yorganci E, Lewis P, Koffman J, Stone K, Tunnard I, Wee B, Bernal W, Hotopf M, Higginson IJ. Processes of consent in research for adults with impaired mental capacity nearing the end of life: systematic review and transparent expert consultation (MORECare_Capacity statement). BMC Med 2020; 18:221. [PMID: 32693800 PMCID: PMC7374835 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01654-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Involving adults lacking capacity (ALC) in research on end of life care (EoLC) or serious illness is important, but often omitted. We aimed to develop evidence-based guidance on how best to include individuals with impaired capacity nearing the end of life in research, by identifying the challenges and solutions for processes of consent across the capacity spectrum. METHODS Methods Of Researching End of Life Care_Capacity (MORECare_C) furthers the MORECare statement on research evaluating EoLC. We used simultaneous methods of systematic review and transparent expert consultation (TEC). The systematic review involved four electronic databases searches. The eligibility criteria identified studies involving adults with serious illness and impaired capacity, and methods for recruitment in research, implementing the research methods, and exploring public attitudes. The TEC involved stakeholder consultation to discuss and generate recommendations, and a Delphi survey and an expert 'think-tank' to explore consensus. We narratively synthesised the literature mapping processes of consent with recruitment outcomes, solutions, and challenges. We explored recommendation consensus using descriptive statistics. Synthesis of all the findings informed the guidance statement. RESULTS Of the 5539 articles identified, 91 met eligibility. The studies encompassed people with dementia (27%) and in palliative care (18%). Seventy-five percent used observational designs. Studies on research methods (37 studies) focused on processes of proxy decision-making, advance consent, and deferred consent. Studies implementing research methods (30 studies) demonstrated the role of family members as both proxy decision-makers and supporting decision-making for the person with impaired capacity. The TEC involved 43 participants who generated 29 recommendations, with consensus that indicated. Key areas were the timeliness of the consent process and maximising an individual's decisional capacity. The think-tank (n = 19) refined equivocal recommendations including supporting proxy decision-makers, training practitioners, and incorporating legislative frameworks. CONCLUSIONS The MORECare_C statement details 20 solutions to recruit ALC nearing the EoL in research. The statement provides much needed guidance to enrol individuals with serious illness in research. Key is involving family members early and designing study procedures to accommodate variable and changeable levels of capacity. The statement demonstrates the ethical imperative and processes of recruiting adults across the capacity spectrum in varying populations and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Evans
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK.
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton General Hospital, Brighton, UK.
| | - E Yorganci
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - P Lewis
- Centre of Medical Law and Ethics, The Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London, London, UK
| | - J Koffman
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - K Stone
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - I Tunnard
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - B Wee
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - W Bernal
- King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - M Hotopf
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - I J Higginson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
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8
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Pace A, Koekkoek JAF, van den Bent MJ, Bulbeck HJ, Fleming J, Grant R, Golla H, Henriksson R, Kerrigan S, Marosi C, Oberg I, Oberndorfer S, Oliver K, Pasman HRW, Le Rhun E, Rooney AG, Rudà R, Veronese S, Walbert T, Weller M, Wick W, Taphoorn MJB, Dirven L. Determining medical decision-making capacity in brain tumor patients: why and how? Neurooncol Pract 2020; 7:599-612. [PMID: 33312674 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Brain tumor patients are at high risk of impaired medical decision-making capacity (MDC), which can be ethically challenging because it limits their ability to give informed consent to medical treatments or participation in research. The European Association of Neuro-Oncology Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Task Force performed a systematic review to identify relevant evidence with respect to MDC that could be used to give recommendations on how to cope with reduced MDC in brain tumor patients. Methods A literature search in several electronic databases was conducted up to September 2019, including studies with brain tumor and other neurological patients. Information related to the following topics was extracted: tools to measure MDC, consent to treatment or research, predictive patient- and treatment-related factors, surrogate decision making, and interventions to improve MDC. Results A total of 138 articles were deemed eligible. Several structured capacity-assessment instruments are available to aid clinical decision making. These instruments revealed a high incidence of impaired MDC both in brain tumors and other neurological diseases for treatment- and research-related decisions. Incapacity appeared to be mostly determined by the level of cognitive impairment. Surrogate decision making should be considered in case a patient lacks capacity, ensuring that the patient's "best interests" and wishes are guaranteed. Several methods are available that may help to enhance patients' consent capacity. Conclusions Clinical recommendations on how to detect and manage reduced MDC in brain tumor patients were formulated, reflecting among others the timing of MDC assessments, methods to enhance patients' consent capacity, and alternative procedures, including surrogate consent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pace
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Johan A F Koekkoek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Martin J van den Bent
- Department of Neurology, The Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Helen J Bulbeck
- Brainstrust (The Brain Cancer People), Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK
| | - Jane Fleming
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Robin Grant
- Edinburgh Centre for Neuro-Oncology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Heidrun Golla
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Roger Henriksson
- Department of Radiation Sciences and Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Christine Marosi
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Clinical Division of Medical Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingela Oberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stefan Oberndorfer
- Department Neurology, University Clinic St Pölten, KLPU and KLI-Neurology and Neuropsychology, St Pölten, Austria
| | - Kathy Oliver
- International Brain Tumour Alliance, Tadworth, UK
| | - H Roeline W Pasman
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Emilie Le Rhun
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alasdair G Rooney
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Roberta Rudà
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Simone Veronese
- Department of Palliative Care, Fondazione FARO, Turin, Italy
| | - Tobias Walbert
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, US
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology & Brain Tumor Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Wick
- Neurology Clinic and National Centre for Tumour Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin J B Taphoorn
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Linda Dirven
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands
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Wilkins JM, Forester BP. Informed consent, therapeutic misconception, and clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020; 35:430-435. [PMID: 31895474 PMCID: PMC7141972 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James M. Wilkins
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent P. Forester
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Ries NM, Mansfield E, Sanson-Fisher R. Ethical and legal aspects of research involving older people with cognitive impairment: A survey of dementia researchers in Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2020; 68:101534. [PMID: 32033698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2019.101534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
People with dementia are under-represented in clinical research, in part due to the ethical and legal complexities of involving people in studies who may lack capacity to consent. Excluding this population from research limits the evidence to inform care. The attitudes and practices of researchers are key to the inclusion of people with dementia in research, however, there are few empirical studies on researchers' perspectives in this area. A cross-sectional study involved researchers in Australia who had experience in the ethical aspects of conducting dementia-related studies with human participants (n = 70). Data were collected via an online survey from November 2017 to January 2018. Most respondents (97%) agreed with the importance of including people at all stages of dementia in research, yet around three-quarters of respondents perceived ethical and legal rules and processes as unduly restrictive or time-consuming. Researchers reported variable practices in assessing prospective participants' capacity to consent to their studies. Various tools are used for this purpose, ranging from tools designed for research (eg, MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research) to more general cognitive function screens (eg, Mini Mental State Exam). Few respondents (14%) routinely exclude people from studies who are unable to give their own consent, but instead seek permission from proxy decision-makers, such as legally appointed guardians or family carers. Respondents reported positive and negative outcomes of ethics review processes. Positive outcomes included strengthening the protections for participants with cognitive impairment while negative outcomes included delays and inconsistent decisions from different ethics committees. The findings suggest a need for improved strategies in the research context to assess and enhance the decision-making capacity of people with dementia to support appropriate opportunities for inclusion. Education for ethics committees, proxy decision-makers and other gatekeepers is also needed to reduce barriers to participation in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nola M Ries
- Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Elise Mansfield
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Rob Sanson-Fisher
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Mandarelli G, Parmigiani G, Carabellese F, Codella S, Roma P, Brancadoro D, Ferretti A, Alessandro L, Pinto G, Ferracuti S. Decisional capacity to consent to treatment and anaesthesia in patients over the age of 60 undergoing major orthopaedic surgery. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2019; 59:247-254. [PMID: 31366276 DOI: 10.1177/0025802419865854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite growing attention to the ability of patients to provide informed consent to treatment in different medical settings, few studies have dealt with the issue of informed consent to major orthopaedic surgery in those over the age of 60. This population is at risk of impaired decision-making capacity (DMC) because older age is often associated with a decline in cognitive function, and they often present with anxiety and depressive symptoms, which could also affect their capacity to consent to treatment. Consent to major orthopaedic surgery requires the patient to understand, retain and reason about complex procedures. This study was undertaken to extend the literature on decisional capacity to consent to surgery and anaesthesia of patients over the age of 60 undergoing major orthopaedic surgery. Recruited patients ( N=83) were evaluated using the Aid to Capacity Evaluation, the Beck Depression Inventory, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory Y, the Mini-Mental State Examination and a visual analogue scale for measuring pain symptomatology. Impairment of medical DMC was common in the overall sample, with about 50% of the recruited patients showing a doubtful ability, or overt inability, to provide informed consent. Poor cognitive functioning was associated with reduced medical DMC, although no association was found between decisional capacity and depressive, anxiety and pain symptoms. These findings underline the need of an in-depth assessment of capacity in older patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Felice Carabellese
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Codella
- Anesthesiology Department, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Roma
- Department of Human Neurosciences, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy
| | - Domitilla Brancadoro
- Anesthesiology Department, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferretti
- Orthopaedic Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Pinto
- Anesthesiology Department, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferracuti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy
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12
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Ries N, Mansfield E, Sanson-Fisher R. Planning Ahead for Dementia Research Participation: Insights from a Survey of Older Australians and Implications for Ethics, Law and Practice. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2019; 16:415-429. [PMID: 31297689 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-019-09929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
People with dementia have commonly been excluded from research. The adverse impacts of this exclusion are now being recognized and research literature, position statements, and ethics guidelines increasingly call for inclusion of people with dementia in research. However, few published studies investigate the views of potential participants on taking part in research should they experience dementia-related cognitive impairment. This cross-sectional survey examined the views of people aged sixty and older (n=174) attending hospital outpatient clinics about clinical research participation if they had dementia and impaired decision-making ability. Over 90 percent of respondents were agreeable to participating in a wide range of research activities, such as cognitive testing, physical measurements, imaging procedures, and blood draws. For drug studies, however, agreement dropped to 60 percent. Altruism was a strong motivator for research participation. In regard to who should be involved in decisions about their participation in research during periods of incapacity, respondents mostly preferred the person they appoint as their substitute decision-maker for healthcare matters (88%) or a doctor or health professional on the research team (78%). Over three-quarters (79%) expressed interest in making an advance research directive. The study findings are discussed in relation to law reforms in Australia that aim to strengthen respect and inclusion for people with impaired decision-making capacity, especially by providing frameworks for advance planning for research participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nola Ries
- Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Elise Mansfield
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Rob Sanson-Fisher
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
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Sowan AK, Beraya AR, Carrola A, Reed CC, Matthews SV, Moodley T. Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating a Multimedia Patient Decision Aid Program to Reform the Informed Consent Process of a Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter Procedure: Protocol for Quality Improvement. JMIR Res Protoc 2018; 7:e10709. [PMID: 30563812 PMCID: PMC6315220 DOI: 10.2196/10709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Informed consent has considerable clinical, ethical, and legal implications for patient safety and liability. Little information is available about the use of multimedia patient decision aids (PtDA) in the consent process for therapeutic invasive procedures such as the peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC). In addition, none of the available studies have designed their multimedia PtDAs based on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) comprehensive guide for informed consent. Objective This paper describes a patient-centered, systematic, multidisciplinary approach to develop, implement, and alpha test a multimedia PtDA to reform the informed consent process of a PICC for patients in 10 acute and intensive care units. Methods The development, implementation, and evaluation processes of the PtDA followed the phases in the Multimedia Production Framework: preproduction, production, and postproduction. Within this framework, we applied the criteria for judging the quality of PtDAs, the AHRQ’s Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, and the AHRQ’s Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool Guide. The methodology was guided by the Interprofessional Shared Decision-Making Model and the AHRQ’s Making Informed Consent an Informed Choice guide. In the preproduction phase, we (1) reviewed the current consent form; (2) observed 18 consent processes; (3) surveyed the vascular access team (N=6 nurses) about their perception of the current process; (4) surveyed 30 patients for knowledge recall and retention, overall satisfaction, and attitude toward using a multimedia PtDA; and (5) wrote and reviewed the script for the multimedia program. The production phase focused on filming the PtDA in English and Spanish languages. The postproduction phase included integrating the multimedia programs into the care processes, developing a modified workflow for the consent process, and alpha testing of the English and Spanish PtDAs by (1) a group of 5 patients for clarity and understandability of the information; (2) nurses using the AHRQ’s Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool Audio and Video; and (3) by the multidisciplinary change team. Results Based on the alpha testing, patients indicated that the content was easy to follow and read; nurses provided positive feedback, and their comments were mainly related to the changes in the workflow in the consent process of the PICC after using the PtDA; and the multidisciplinary change team suggested edits related to changing a few scenes. The final multimedia program consisted of 7 min and 37 s demonstrating detailed information about the PICC. Conclusions A systematic development of PtDAs for nonurgent invasive procedures may eliminate many limitations of the conventional consent process by ensuring comprehensive, standardized, and easy-to-comprehend information and providing sufficient time for the patients to reflect on the information. To be effective, PtDAs should follow a systematic, patient-centered, evidence-based, and rigorous approach in the development, implementation, and evaluation processes. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR1-10.2196/10709
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Affiliation(s)
- Azizeh Khaled Sowan
- School of Nursing, University fo Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Arlienita R Beraya
- Center for Clinical Excellence, University Health System, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Adrian Carrola
- Transplant Cardiac ICU, University Health System, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Charles C Reed
- Center for Clinical Excellence, University Health System, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Sherrie V Matthews
- Corporate Communications & Marketing, University Health System, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Tarryn Moodley
- Clinical Systems, University Health System, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Difficult Relationships: Patients, Providers, and Systems. CURRENT EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40138-018-0152-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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15
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Moye J. Introductory to Issue 41(1): Navigating Thorny Aspects of Dementia Care: Sex, Money, Cars and More. Clin Gerontol 2018; 41:1-2. [PMID: 29220626 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2018.1401885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Moye
- a New England GRECC , VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts , USA
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