Rapid commentary: Ethical implications for clinical trialists and patients associated with COVID-19 research

Gayathri Delanerolle; Shanaya Rathod; Kathryn Elliot; Rema Ramakrishnan; Tony Thayanandan; Natasha Sandle; Nyla Haque; Vanessa Raymont; Peter Phiri

doi:10.5498/wjp.v11.i3.58

Rapid commentary: Ethical implications for clinical trialists and patients associated with COVID-19 research

World J Psychiatry. 2021 Mar 19;11(3):58-62. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i3.58.

Authors

Gayathri Delanerolle¹, Shanaya Rathod², Kathryn Elliot², Rema Ramakrishnan³, Tony Thayanandan¹, Natasha Sandle¹, Nyla Haque¹, Vanessa Raymont¹, Peter Phiri²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
² Research and Development Department, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO30 3JB, United Kingdom.
³ Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Pandemics disrupt clinical trials worldwide, with lasting effects on research. It can severely impact clinical trialists ability to conduct safe and ethically uncompromised trials. Hence, the mounting pressure results in ethically and morally distressing decisions faced by clinical trial professionals during pandemic situations. Whilst clinical trialists attempt to think about preparedness and responses during a pandemic, the need to have an ethical framework that has real-world applicability is imperative. Pandemics are a challenging time for all, however, the safety and access to support for clinical trialists and patients within clinical trials should be at the forefront for their organisations and the government.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical trials; Ethics; Pandemic; Patients; Trialists.

Publication types

Editorial