Novel consent process for research in dying patients unable to give consent.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To develop a process of advance consent to enable research to be undertaken in patients in the terminal phase.

Design

Feasibility study of an advance consent process to support a randomised controlled trial of two antimuscarinic drugs (hyoscine hydrobromide and glycopyrronium bromide) in the management of noisy respirations associated with retained secretions ("death rattle").

Setting

Palliative care wards in a major cancer centre.

Participants

Patients admitted to a palliative care ward who may develop "death rattle" and thus be eligible for randomisation.

Main outcome measures

Patient accrual; acceptability of the consent process.

Results

Of the 107 patients approached, 58 patients gave advance consent to participate in the study. Of

SUBMITTER: Rees E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC166125 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature