Abstract

CARRASCO-ALDUNATE, Paola; RUBIO-ACUNA, Miriam  and  FUENTES-OLAVARRIA, Daniela. Informed Consent: A Cornerstone of Clinical Research. Aquichan [online]. 2012, vol.12, n.1, pp.32-41. ISSN 1657-5997.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to shed light on the main aspects of informed consent (IC) in health research, through a literature review of databases. Method: The elements of its origin and development were analyzed, along with the ethical principles involved (autonomy, benefit and fairness), the key characteristic essentials such as dissemination, understanding, capacity to consent or decide, and voluntariness. Results: In nursing and other disciplines, the application of IC is not exempt from conflicts, such as those involving the validity of the process over the course of time, the capacity to understand the information that is given, coercion with minorities, fear of the effects of intervention or the procedure, and mistrust or misgivings about what really will be done. Conclusion: Having the expressed manifestation of a person's willingness to participate freely and voluntarily in a study, with knowledge of the conditions, benefits and risks doing so entails, guarantees full consideration of the ethical principles involved in the holistic care of individuals.

Keywords : Informed consent; ethics; nursing.

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