How important is 'accuracy' of surrogate decision-making for research participation?

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a longstanding concern about the accuracy of surrogate consent in representing the health care and research preferences of those who lose their ability to decide for themselves. We sought informed, deliberative views of the older general public (≥50 years old) regarding their willingness to participate in dementia research and to grant leeway to future surrogates to choose an option contrary to their stated wishes.

Methodology/principal findings

503 persons aged 50+ recruited by random digit dialing were randomly assigned to one of three groups: deliberation, education, or control. The deliberation group attended an all-day education/peer deliberation session; the education group received written information only. Participants were surveyed at baseline, a

SUBMITTER: Kim SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3561414 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature