Research on Vulnerable Groups: The Medical Researchers View

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was carried out among the teachers and doctors of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital with a view to assess the knowledge of the medical researchers about research on vulnerable groups. Among all the researchers, only 11.8% of them are involved in research currently, 58.8% had past experience in research but cent percent are interested in medical research. Only 35.3% of the respondents had complete knowledge regarding vulnerable groups but majority of them (64.7%) had no or partial knowledge regarding this important variable. About 88% of the respondents knew that the children cannot give their consents to participate in research. Majority of the respondents (76.5%) did not know that when the children should be involved in research. A remarkable portion (41.2%) of the respondents had no or wrong knowledge regarding the ability of the women of reproductive age to give informed consent. This study recommended proper training of the medical researchers regarding vulnerable population in medical research.  

doi: 10.3329/taj.v18i1.3303

TAJ 2005; 18(1): 43-46