Informed consent is a key concept to ensure patient autonomy in clinical trials and routine care. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has complicated informed consent processes, due to physical distancing precautions and increased physician workload. As such, obtaining timely and adequate patient consent has become a bottleneck for many clinical trials. However, this challenging situation might also present an opportunity to rethink and reappraise our approach to consent in clinical trials. This viewpoint discusses the challenges related to informed consent during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it could be acceptable to alter current consent processes under these circumstances, and outlines a possible framework with predefined criteria and a system of checks and balances that could allow for alterations of existing consent processes to maximize patient benefit under exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic without undermining patient autonomy.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.031976 | DOI Listing |
While maternal mortality decreased during the Millennium Development Goals era, it remains unacceptably high, with stagnation in reductions possible due to shocks such as COVID-19. Most women in low- and middle-income countries already receive antenatal care and over half give birth in health facilities. In cities, use of health facilities for childbirth is near universal (>90%).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemiol Psychiatr Sci
January 2025
Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Aims: Although individuals with lower socio-economic position (SEP) have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than others, there is no conclusive evidence on whether mental healthcare (MHC) is provided equitably. We investigated inequalities in MHC use among adults in Stockholm County (Sweden), and whether inequalities were moderated by self-reported psychological distress.
Methods: MHC use was examined in 31,433 individuals aged 18-64 years over a 6-month follow-up period, after responding to the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) in 2014 or the Kessler Six (K6) in 2021.
Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med
December 2024
School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
Background: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uses antiretroviral medication to reduce HIV risk in HIV-negative individuals. Despite its effectiveness, global uptake faces policy and accessibility challenges. In Eswatini, PrEP introduction in 2017 showed promise despite stigma and COVID-19 disruptions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatol Adv Pract
December 2024
Rheumatology Department, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
Objectives: Physical function in RA is largely influenced by multiple clinical factors, however, there is a growing body of evidence that psychological state and other comorbidities also play an essential role. Using data obtained in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases study, an international self-reported e-survey, we aimed to explore the predictive ability of sociodemographic and clinical variables on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 10a (PROMIS PF-10a) in RA and to investigate variation in disease activity and functional outcomes based on country-level socio-economic parameters.
Methods: Patient demographics, disease characteristics including current symptom status, functional status and treatment variables, as well as income level of the country of residence, were extracted from survey responses.
AEM Educ Train
February 2025
Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Sidney Kimmel Medical College Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA.
Background: Uncertainty is a pervasive challenge in clinical practice. Whereas the importance of humility in navigating uncertainty has been discussed, empirical research on how humility is practiced or expressed (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!