THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

The Vulnerability of Patients Suffering from Mental Illness as Research Subjects

Because of their impaired decision-making capacity, their ability to give informed consent may be partially or completely compromised.

Persons with chronic mental illness often need ambulatory or inpatient treatment but lack adequate health care insurance. Thus, they may be able to obtain treatment only in the research context.

Persons suffering from mental illness are in danger of being stigmatized or devalued.

Such persons are particularly vulnerable to the "therapeutic illusion" in studies that have no benefit to them but will "help science" or "help others in the future."

• Return to Research Ethics Module Supporting Pages

• Excluding a Population: A Claim of Risks

• The Alzheimer's Caregiver Study

National Academy of Engineering

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