Applied Nursing Research
Volume 16, Issue 1 , Pages 53-59, February 2003

Identifying possible depression in clinical research: Ethical and outcome considerations for the investigator/clinician☆☆☆

Patricia C. Clark, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Christi Deaton, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Sandra B. Dunbar, RN, DSN, FAAN, Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Article Outline

Abstract 

Most nurse researchers are aware of the ethical implications of research including the need to ensure confidentiality for research participants, as well as to provide full disclosure of the risks and benefits of the study. However, another consideration that can impact methodology from the perspective of the protection of human subjects from research risks includes the measurement of certain psychosocial variables such as depression and appropriate disclosure of such information to research participants. This issue has received little attention in the nursing literature. The intent of this article is to provide an overview of (1) the importance of informing participants about possible depression, (2) issues of identifying potential depression in clinical research including those related to depression measures, (3) strategies for the investigator/clinician to ensure protection of research participants and potential impact of those strategies, and (4) considerations in addressing depression in study design and analysis. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

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☆ Supported in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research (#5R01NR07612) and a grant-in-aid (#9950220N) American Heart Association.

☆☆ Address reprint requests to Patricia C. Clark, PhD, RN, 1520 Clifton Road, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.

PII: S0897-1897(02)10906-2

doi:10.1053/apnr.2003.50003

Applied Nursing Research
Volume 16, Issue 1 , Pages 53-59, February 2003

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