In the healthcare industry, numerous ethical dilemmas can affect nursing research. The following are the five most essential safeguards for nursing study participants:
- Patient consent. Whenever patients complete the ethical approval, it implies they are aware of the material and can choose whether or not to participate.
- Assessment of the risks and advantages. The chances of taking part in the study should not outweigh the benefits. Moreover, if the study involves vulnerable groups, there should be more information about protective procedures.
- Confidentiality. The right to privacy is guaranteed to all participants, hence making it safeguarded at all times during the study process. Anonymity, when even the researcher is unable to link participants to their data, is the most secure method of maintaining confidentiality. Thus, the right to privacy of participants is safeguarded by a variety of secrecy measures, for instance, anonymity.
- Debriefings. Participants’ ethnic backgrounds and lifestyle diversity should be respected by researchers. Researchers can demonstrate this – and proactively reduce emotional risks – by paying close attention to aspects of their interactions with patients.
- Human rights protection. All individuals should be handled with justice, and it is the obligation of researchers to guarantee the ethical correctness of the research and not violate human rights.