Paper Example on Human Rights and Research in Healthcare

Introduction

Nursing is an active profession that has developed into evidence-based practice, research, and theory. From its inconsistently and unorganized distinct start points, a career based on the framework of human caring, determination, autonomy, and competence has evolved. This essay looks at the evolution of nursing research, and the ethical principles that protect human rights in research.

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The second world war manifested the onset of a revolution in the strategy of nursing research. Federal involvement in nursing research began in 1946, with the institution of the Nursing Department with the first extramural research project being in 1955. (Cherry & Jacob, 2016). Nursing services in public welfare were merged to produce another area of nursing in 1960 referred to as the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Several learning institutes introduced pre and post-doctoral curricula to train sovereign nurse researchers. In 1993, research in nursing was incorporated in the conventional behavioral and medical discipline, and a 1984 NIH investigation discovered that inquiries in nursing were appropriate to NIH's mission. In April 1986, these discoveries led to a legal action which recognized the National Center for Nursing Research at the National Institute of Health which was later transformed in 1993 to the NINR.

Nurses get support and encouragement to take part in research to develop a firm base of evidence that builds stronger practices. Eventually, this benefits the inter-professional teams in hospitals as well as the patients and their kins. For practice based on evidence, we require the expertise and knowledge from medics, to structure studies, theorize, and gather evidence which results in improved care. The American Nursing Association has established specific guidelines, policies, and standards that safeguard the welfare and rights of participants and the nurses conducting the research. The components of the ANA guidelines on the protection of Human Rights in research include 1) Assurance through informed consent. 2) Agencies and institutions assurance and 3) Professional assurance whereby the ANA has a responsibility of freely supporting the addition of nurses as consistent associates of the official research boards and make awareness of this policy through written reports of the system which also govern the participant's human rights (Cherry & Jacob, 2016).

Ethical principles put in place to protect human rights in research include the principle of autonomy, whereby a person has the right to determine the type of activity they will or will not participate in by following the rules of the informed consent. The principle of beneficence refers to the approach of 'no harm' and maximizing benefits for the participants. The principle of justice requires an unbiased choice of subjects, that is, evading population of partakers who can be deceitfully pressured into participating, like institutionalized children, prisoners, and other vulnerable groups (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2013). Nurses can apply the strategy of incorporating evidence-based practice to promote research utilization (Cherry & Jacob, 2016). Since nurses' face pressure to rationalize the services they offer, failure to use research evidence at work can affect reimbursement and lessen the area of practice in several circumstances, that can, in turn, reduce services provided and staffing levels.

The ramifications of reporting fraudulent research place patients at risk of inappropriate health care. Another consequence of research misconduct is the adverse damage to funding agencies and, on the reputations, and occupations of those involved in the fraud. When a scam gets reported, the health institution or research organization undergoes a constant issue of public trust, and its image may be irreparably tainted. In the instance of research, integrity conflicting with the therapeutic imperative, then ethical principles in research can be compromised, patient's safety violated and unintentional bias may be a threat as well (Cherry & Jacob, 2016). The medical practitioners have to exercise judgment in hard situations which are uptight with ambiguity. A nurse has a role of improving objectivity and reducing bias through the thorough application of the experimental strategy and keeping vigilance.

The role of informed consent in research is to provide participants with adequately comprehensive knowledge on the study for them to make a rational, voluntary, and the informed decision to participate (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2013). It also helps researchers to respect the individual's dignity and upholds the three basic ethical principles of human rights. The essential elements of informed consent include a statement on the participants' right to confidentiality and withdrawal, a voluntary participation statement with no consequence to the refusal of participation, and the contact person in cases of questions that need clarifications in case of emergencies. The period of involvement in the study, its benefits to the individual and society, the future discomforts and risks to the individual, alternatives to participation, research methods, purpose, and nature of the study.

Conclusion

Lastly, the NINR focuses on areas of inquiry where the health requirements are more significant in promoting and improving the health of communities, families, and individuals. NINR is structured to scientifically focus on palliative care, self-management of chronic illnesses, wellness, and symptom science. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality aim is to generate evidence to make medical care more safe, affordable, equitable, accessible, higher quality, and to corporate with the United States human services and health department to endure the evidence is understood and practiced (Cherry & Jacob, 2016). Carrying out a study is challenging and competitive, but competitions aid investigators in producing methodologically credible and sound research which will shape the future of the practice.

References

Burkhardt, M. A., & Nathaniel, A. (2013). Ethics and issues in contemporary nursing. Nelson Education.

Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. R. (2016). Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management. Elsevier Health Sciences.