Conducting research involving palliative patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to outline some of the reasons why palliative care patients are seen to be vulnerable as research participants.


METHODS
The author conducted a literature review to ascertain whether or not palliative care patients should be involved in research.


RESULTS
The author found that the case for involving patients who are receiving palliative care in research is overwhelming, but that the protection of these patients must be an integral part of the research.


CONCLUSIONS
The research design should essentially incorporate the same aims as the palliative care philosophy: patient autonomy, open awareness, holism, respect and collaboration.
Karim
K
K
St Mary's Hospice, Birmingham.
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006694:Holistic Health; D006805:Human Experimentation; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D018579:Patient Selection; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards