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

ABSTRACT

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.