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Ethics and research in critical care

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Abstract

Background

The past few years have witnessed several controversies regarding the ethics of conducting research involving critically ill patients, and such research is ethically challenging.

Discussion

Research ethics is a changing field, one that is influenced by empirical data, contemporary events, and new ideas regarding aspects of clinical trial design and protection of human subjects. We describe recent thoughts regarding several aspects of research ethics in the critical care context.

Conclusion

The ability of the research community to conduct research ethically and to maintain public trust would benefit from heightened awareness to the principles and requirements that govern such research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, 10 S. Pine St., 21201, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Henry J. Silverman

  2. University Hospital Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Creteil, France

    Francois Lemaire

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  1. Henry J. Silverman
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  2. Francois Lemaire
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Correspondence to Henry J. Silverman.

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Silverman, H.J., Lemaire, F. Ethics and research in critical care. Intensive Care Med 32, 1697–1705 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-006-0305-4

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