Psychiatric Research and Ethics: Attitudes of Mental Healthcare Professionals in Singapore

Objective: This study assessed the opinion of mental healthcare professionals on ethical issues in psychiatric research and investigated whether previous research experience had an impact. Methods: Healthcare professionals at a psychiatric institution were invited to participate in this survey. Using a self-administered questionnaire, attitudes on statements covering ethical concerns and consent process in psychiatric research were assessed and responses of participants with and without research experience were compared. Results: Mental health professionals, irrespective of their research backgrounds, acknowledged the importance of training in research ethics and accepted placebo use in psychiatric research. More respondents with research experience felt that patients with mental illnesses are capable of making a decision about research participation, could provide written informed consent and even if involuntarily admitted, had the ability to participate in research. They also considered randomization of treatment to be justified in psychiatric research. Conclusion: Training and update on ethical regulations and requirements for research involving psychiatric subjects could bring about a change in the perspective towards ethical concerns in psychiatric research.

Mental health professionals' perceived barriers and benefits, and personal concerns in relation to psychiatric research

<p><b>AIM</b>Mental health professionals can contribute to generating a strong evidence base for policy and practice in psychiatry. An insight into their perception of psychiatric research is important for planning support strategies. This study explored healthcare professionals' perceptions of barriers, benefits and concerns about psychiatric research in a Singapore psychiatric hospital.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Self-administered questionnaire was employed to collect socio-demographic data and opinions on research. Likert scale was used for the responses and descriptive statistics and ordinal regression were used for data analysing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>93.8% respondents perceived "contribution to medical knowledge/public health" to be a major benefit of conducting research. 86.7% respondents felt that "learning experience" was important. "Prestige/publication" (52.7%) and "financial gain" (76%) were perceived to be unimportant. "Clinical load of patients", "lack of skilled personnel to assist in research" and "insufficient funding" were identified as important barriers by 72.4%, 70.6% and 68.9% respondents. "Time constraints", "patient and family readiness to research participation", "insufficient training" and "concerns about patient welfare" are major concerns while conducting research.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To the study team's best knowledge, this is the only study of mental health professionals' perceptions on psychiatric research. It is useful for strategising research planning and enhancing the research culture in the hospital.</p>