Healthcare professionals' understanding of the legislation governing research involving adults lacking mental capacity in England and Wales: a national survey

Shepherd, Victoria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7687-0817, Griffith, Richard, Sheehan, Mark, Wood, Fiona ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7397-4074 and Hood, Kerenza ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5268-8631 2018. Healthcare professionals' understanding of the legislation governing research involving adults lacking mental capacity in England and Wales: a national survey. Journal of Medical Ethics 44 (9) , pp. 632-637. 10.1136/medethics-2017-104722

Preview

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (165kB) | Preview

Abstract

Objective To examine health and social care professionals’ understanding of the legislation governing research involving adults lacking mental capacity in England and Wales. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a series of vignettes. Participants were asked to select the legally authorised decision-maker in each scenario and provide supporting reasons. Responses were compared to existing legal frameworks and analysed according to their level of concordance. Results One hundred and twenty-seven professionals participated. Levels of discordance between responses and the legal frameworks was high across all five scenarios (76% – 82%). Nearly half of the participants (46%) provided responses that were discordant in all scenarios. Only 2 participants (2%) provided concordant responses across all five scenarios. Participants failed to recognise that the basis for enrolment was the person’s ‘presumed will’. ‘Best interests’ was overwhelmingly cited as the ethical basis for the decision. Discussion Participants demonstrated a lack of knowledge about the legal frameworks, the locus of authority, and the legal basis for decision–making. The findings raise concern about the accessibility of research for those who lack capacity, the ability to conduct research involving such groups, and the impact on the evidence-base for their care. Conclusion This is the first study to examine health and social care professionals’ knowledge and understanding of the dual legal frameworks in the UK. Health and social care professionals’ understanding and attitudes towards research involving adults with incapacity may warrant further in-depth exploration. The findings from this survey suggest that greater training and education is required.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:	0306-6800
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 April 2018
Date of Acceptance:	29 March 2018
Last Modified:	20 Nov 2024 01:36
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/110466

Citation Data

Cited 23 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item