A Social Work Perspective on Paediatric and Adolescent Research Vulnerability

Kyle A McGregor; James A Hall; David A Wilkerson; Larry W Bennett; Mary A Ott

doi:10.1921/swssr.v18i2.904

Authors

Kyle A McGregor Yale University
James A Hall Indiana University
David A Wilkerson Indiana University
Larry W Bennett Indiana University
Mary A Ott Indiana University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/swssr.v18i2.904

Abstract

Children’s and adolescents’ capacity to provide valid informed consent is one of the key ethical concerns in pediatric research. This review of adolescent vulnerability is presented to highlight the complex interplay between capacity and other forms of vulnerability. This review is offered as an interdisciplinary analysis to better understand why the study of vulnerable populations is critical to the ethical advancement of clinical research. Results from this analysis suggest the need for enhanced screening techniques as well as the utilization of specialized staff to identify and reduce the impact of different forms of vulnerability. These findings also provide insights into ways to ethically involve youth in complex biomedical research.

Author Biographies

Kyle A McGregor, Yale University

Postdoctoral Fellow in Biomedical Informatics, Yale Center for Medical Informatics

James A Hall, Indiana University

Professor of Paediatrics and Social Work
Indiana University School of Medicine—Section of Adolescent Medicine
Indiana University School of Social Work

David A Wilkerson, Indiana University

Assistant Professor of Social Work
dawilker@iupui.eduIndiana University School of Social Work

Larry W Bennett, Indiana University

Professor of Social Work
Indiana University School of Social Work

Mary A Ott, Indiana University

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Indiana University School of Medicine

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