What strikes you about the codes of ethics for research on human subjects? What weren't you expecting?
After you read the Codes of Ethics in your text, look at your own Nursing Code of Ethics. The Codes in your text relate to research on human subjects, but there is some overlap with your professional code of ethics. Also look at the Hippocratic Oath. Where's the overlap between all those?
As we had went over most of these Code of Ethics in our nursing research class nothing really stood out as shocking new information. But, in saying that I did learn that they go much deeper then I know about. Regarding the Codes of Ethics overlapping with the Nursing Code of Ethics one that stands out to me is the one that states “The nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice, education, administration, and knowledge development”. Does this mean we should promote research even if we personal think is being done without the person wellbeing is not being protected. I think all nurses would always put the person first no matter what the trail or study is trying to prove. We are to do no harm just as the Hippocratic Oath states.
ReplyDeleteNursing Code of Ethics found at www.nursingworld.org/Mobile/Code-of-Ethics
I agree as we are the advocate for our patients and we do no harm. I think the Code of Ethics protects the patients just as we do. I don't think your quote implies that we are harming our patients at all. I think there are other ways to fulfill the advancement of the profession, like using other theories (Maslow's) to help our practice.
DeleteIn regard to human subjects in ethics and our Nursing Code of Ethics, they have a similarity to protect the safety and rights of the patient and community, the same with the Hippocratic Oath. They all state a duty for the common good and not for self-fulfillment and self-advancement. Ethical or virtuous behavior is established as a guide to serve and protect the public from unethical actions.
ReplyDeleteI to think that the Nursing Code of Ethics and the Hippocratic Oath is stating to protect this is what we do no matter the treatment or research.
DeleteProtections of human subject is first. Research should never be done if it is going to harm someone in any way. This is why we have Nursing Codes to abide by.
DeleteI think that, at times, the vulnerable may be the ones who stand to benefit most from certain research. We need someone looking out for them and keep them from possibly putting themselves in harms way to attain the benefit. Like the study being done on HIV positive pregnant women. Although I do think the study could be conducted in an ethical manner, there needs to be someone looking out only for those women-not the study.
DeleteNursing, research and physicians are bound to an oath to protect our patients. The whole controversy on plastic surgery and ethical practice assures me that any "code" or "oath" can be manipulated to fit the situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying manipulation of code is for sure twistist to fit plastic surgery. This was a very good point.
DeleteThere should never be manipulation of "ethics" or "code " to benefit anyone except the outcome of research that can make treatments better and more beneficial.
DeleteI agree with you completely! Doctors and nurses can change them around to fit any issue.
DeleteI agree Cindy, nearly any rule, law or code can be manipulated to fit a particular person or situation. That is why I think it's important to have an ethics board.
DeleteCindy and/or Shirley: could you elaborate on how you see the Codes being manipulated? I'll post this question in our new "Ongoing/Followup" section.
DeleteThe Nursing Code of ethics and the human subjects in ethics are very similar to the safety and rights of the community and patients just like the Hippocratic Oath. The main focus is for one's self but for the good for all. This is how we should all practice!! Once we can take the benefits of one'self out of the picture than care will be more effectively carried out.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAs I did my readings for this topic it brought back the story of how the Nazi's cruelly treated other human being's. What they were doing was not research to me, it was torture to those people. In the medical field we all should take an oath to do no harm to any other. It is a shame that we all as humans just do no harm to each other. I think that doing research on humans should make sure that they are fully informed of all aspects of research and what the risks, benefits and possible side effects are before agreeing to participate.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for our codes. The Nazi's were torturing those people to find an answer to a medical question with no regard to human life. I have to wonder if we had no ethics codes, would there still be this type of experimentation?
DeleteI still think questionable ethical decision are still being made today. I think that people can manipulate codes into what they want them to say. I agree with you cind in that the Nazi's were torturing these poor people and most of the time for non medical reasoning.
DeleteI also believe that questionable ethical decisions are still being made everyday. I also believe that people can manipulate the codes into what they want them to say
DeleteInteresting that you bring up the Nazis. Our codes were in place after WWII, but American doctors and researchers continued to violate them. I suppose this is what some of you mean when you say that the Codes can be manipulated. So is it still important to have the Codes? What do they do?
DeleteEthics is often used as guidelines to follow or justify ones decision based on knowledge. I don’t think ethics discriminate between nursing or human subjects. An oath is more as a promise to do what is best. The Hippocratic oath is not necessarily guidelines but a commitment from one’s own dignity. These concepts overlap because the overall goal is to provide the best care possible to self and others. All concepts can be manipulated!
ReplyDeleteJodi I do agree with you and think that all concepts can be manipulatated into what the person wants them to say. What someone interpurts as do no harm might mean something else to another person.
DeleteWe went over these codes when we had research in nursing so I wasn't surprised this time but I was when I learned of them the first time. It waas hard to believe that this stuff really happened. Especially the cruel and unusally studies that were done in the Nazi prison camps. Per theses studies the Dr. just wanted to see what would happen and really didn't have a medical reasoning behind the so called studies.All ethical codes are a guideline of how you should act and behave. I think that most of guidelines can be manipulated to what the person thinks it sholuld be. The nurse code of ethics and the hippocratic oath I think overlap because we both want want to do no harm to the patient and to provide the best care that is possible.
ReplyDeleteThe code of ethics and the oath, I feel can be interrupted to fit any situation or what a person wants them to be. Both do list that doing no harm to the patient or during good for your patient is one of the top of the list.
ReplyDeleteProfessional code of ethics and nursing code of ethics overlap because both talk about the way the professional should conduct themselves. Nurses are obligated to give quality care and protect the patient from harm. Research should be done in the same manner. The Hippocratic Oath is similar because the physician states he will do his best to care for the patient.
ReplyDeletelike the Hippocratic Oath , our nursing code of ethics dictates that we protect our patients from harm and strive to represent our profession in a virtuous and ethical manner. we should promote education and understanding , It goes without saying that research subjects should be informed and treated in an ethical manner , the code of ethics for research is interesting as it actually spells out the fact that you can't take advantage of others , etc. Its hard to believe that this has to be put into writing
ReplyDeleteI agree! Even as some people manipulate the codes that doesn't make it morally right. Or ethically for that matter.
DeleteI was surprised with the stipulation the need for the population being tested must expect a benefit if the study is successful. It makes sense to me and I think it is right and appropriate. It just seems so basic that it should not even need to be written into the code.
ReplyDeleteThere is part of the code that states research that CAN be conducted in developed countries SHOULD be conducted in those countries. There is rarely a study that comes without risk and if the benefits of the study will be 'enjoyed' by developed countries, citizens in underdeveloped countries should not bear the brunt of the risks. I think this speaks to the nurse's code of ethics in that the Nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether that patient is an individual, family or community.
The part of the Hippocratic Oath that weaves through all the ethics is the part that states that the physician will devise and order the best diet according to his judgment and take care that they suffer no hurt or damage. Both the nurse's code of ethics and the code of ethics on human subjects direct that the patient/subject need to be protected.
I was surprised with the code that states an experiment shouldn't be conducted where there is a previous belief that death or a disabling injury will occur except where the experimental doctors are also the test subjects. That is suppose to make it OK? No kamikaze doctors please! It was very unexpected.
ReplyDeleteAs far as overlapping, I think they all keep the welfare of the subjects health and welfare as a number one priority thereby protecting the subject from any type of harm.
What strikes me about the code of ethics for nursing is that we have to have it at all. It seems like it ought to be common sense. It's similar to teaching my kids to be nice to each other, don't hurt each other, respect each other etc... I believe we are so blessed to live in USA and have freedom, that we forget it is not like that in other countries. So for that reason it stands out to me that they had to be told it was not ethical experiments or research they were doing.
ReplyDeleteThe degree of overlap between ethical codes, the nursing professional codes, and the Hippocratic oath is a fine line. On one hand, Doctors taking the oath are basically pledging to sacrifice their own lives for the cause of the patient and their community. They are to regard patients as their own family, give money to those in need, do no harm, and if they do not live up to this oath, they are to receive the opposite of this. Nurses are held to similar standard to treat patients with dignity and compassion and do no harm. Ethical codes, referring to research, should do no harm, but may not necessarily be doing the patient good. Scientific studies are not done for the patients benefit, but for learning and education for future benefit. This is contradictory to medical and nursing codes in some cases.