Current implementation of informed consent among counselors in Beijing / 中国心理卫生杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectsTo investigate the current situation of counselors'implementation and their attitude to informed consent in Beijing.Methods:Eleven counselors who worked in Beijing were interviewed,the average of their working years was (7.4 ± 4.4).A semi-structured interview was used to learn about their practicing processes in and viewpoints on informed consent,and their interview transcripts were analyzed through qualitative method.Results:The results could be categorized into four categories,including the content of informed consent,the influential factors of informed consent,problems and confusions,and the significance of informed consent.The crucial role of informed consent in psychotherapy was generally recognized by counselors,and they could obey the related rules as well.The therapists had some confusion and problems about informed consent,such as the form and length,the consent for special population and online consultation.Conclusion:Basically,the counselors in Beijing could comply with the ethical standards of informed consent.However,they also suggest that certain limitations of these rules should be noticed.