Vulnerable Populations

What is this about?

Professor Maggiano was conducting a study about re-integration of mental health patients into society when she realised that some of the participants (selected for the study by the state department of mental health) have not been contacted and briefed about the purpose and nature of the research. According to the sponsors of the research, consent was not required in this case, because the study is for internal use only. What should Professor McGorty do in this situation?

Why is this important?

It is important to include mental health patients into society and so this study is very much admirable. But, no matter how much any project is important or admirable all individuals included in the study should know all about it prior to involvement. Since this step was skipped I suggest that all participants be informed about the study now. This means that some will not be willing to participate and will step out from the study.

The study may have sufficient number of participants in the and because there are not many studies dealing with the re-integration of mental health patients into society.

The drop out number can be used in the study for the statistical purposes and it can additionally improve overall study statistics.