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Dying persons' perspectives on, or experiences of, participating in research: an integrative review

Background: Conducting research with dying persons can be controversial and challenging due to concerns for the vulnerability of
the dying and the potential burden on those who participate with the possibility of little benefit.
Aim: To conduct an integrative review to answer the question ‘What are dying persons’ perspectives or experiences of participating
in research?
Design: A structured integrative review of the empirical literature was undertaken.
Data sources: Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Complete, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Informit and Embase databases were
searched for the empirical literature published since inception of the databases until February 2017.
Results: From 2369 references, 10 papers were included in the review. Six were qualitative studies, and the remaining four were
quantitative. Analysis revealed four themes: value of research, desire to help, expression of self and participation preferences. Dying
persons value research participation, regarding their contribution as important, particularly if it provides an opportunity to help
others. Participants perceived that the potential benefits of research can and should be measured in ways other than life prolongation
or cure. Willingness to participate is influenced by study type or feature and degree of inconvenience.
Conclusion: Understanding dying persons’ perspectives of research participation will enhance future care of dying persons. It is
essential that researchers do not exclude dying persons from clinically relevant research due to their prognosis, fear or burden or
perceived vulnerability. The dying should be afforded the opportunity to participate in research with the knowledge it may contribute
to science and understanding and improve the care and treatment of others.

History

Journal

Palliative medicine

Volume

32

Issue

4

Pagination

851 - 860

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

0269-2163

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2017, The Author(s)