|
Home
|
Clinical trial is ultimately premised on TRUST, embodied in the willing cooperation of people serving as subjects, thus creates a legitimate expectation for a system of protection that is TRUSTWORTHY.
Clinical Research has Ethical Concern
Ethical concern arises whenever a situation is sufficient for a third party to reasonably infer that improper decision is a possibility. Clinical research falls into one of these situations because
| • | It places some people at risk for the good of others (for the advancement of knowledge to improve healthcare in the long term) | |
|
•
|
Involved parties have conflicting interests / values | |
| - | Clinical judgment about a patient's well-being (primary interest) is subject to influence by other considerations such as research agenda, sponsorship, personal ambition and conveniences | |
| - | Academia competes for research output and resources | |
|
•
|
Parties (doctors and patients, scientific community and lay public) have unequal powers | |
|
•
|
It entails huge potential profits (part of drug and medical device development) | |
Research Ethics in the Hong Kong SAR
| • | Hong Kong does not have a comprehensive Statute specifically on clinical research | |
|
•
|
Ethical oversight relies on professional self-discipline (Professional Code and Conduct) and administrative control by academia and healthcare providers | |
| • | HA is obliged to develop research ethics because | |
| - | Practically the sole provider of study sites and training centers | |
| - | Research subjects are invariably HA patients | |
| - | As service provider, HA bears direct and vicarious liabilities | |
Webpage developed and maintained by
Clinical Effectiveness Section,
Clinical Standards & Technology Assessment Department
Quality & Safety Division,
Hospital Authority Head Office
Last update: 21 February 2008