Citation

Sheikh A, Hurwitz B, Parker M. Br. J. Gen. Pract. 2001; 51(462): 32-35.

Affiliation

Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Imperial College School of Medicine, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP. aziz.sheikh@ic.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Royal College of General Practitioners)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11271870

PMCID

PMC1313896

Abstract

A questionnaire-based research project enquiring into the psychological health of general practice managers found that 5% of managers admitted to suicidal ideas. This paper explores the moral issues raised when research conducted at a distance uncovers information about participants which indicates that they may be at increased risk of harm. It examines whether the authors of such studies have responsibilities towards their research participants beyond those of analysing and properly interpreting the data supplied to them. The paper is an exercise in self-reflection and self-criticism; not all the questions posed and explored by it can be answered definitively. Implications for planning studies of this kind are discussed.

Language: en