Ethics and equity in research priority-setting: stakeholder engagement and the needs of disadvantaged groups.

A transparent and evidence-based priority-setting process promotes the optimal use of resources to improve health outcomes. Decision-makers and funders have begun to increasingly engage representatives of patients and healthcare consumers to ensure that research becomes more relevant. However, disadvantaged groups and their needs may not be integrated into the priority-setting process since they do not have a “political voice” or are unable to organise into interest groups. Equitable priority-setting methods need to balance patient needs, values, experiences with population-level issues and issues related to the health system.

Editorial Policies of MEDLINE Indexed Indian Journals on Clinical Trial Registration.

30 MEDLINE indexed Indian journals publishing clinical trials were identified and their editorial policies on trial registration were assessed. Trial registration number was required in 9 journals (30%).16 journals (53.33%) encouraged adherence to the CONSORT Statement, while 22 (73.33%) mentioned ICMJE Guidelines.