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PAPERS: Anne Spinewine, Christian Swine, Soraya Dhillon, Bryony Dean Franklin, Paul M Tulkens, Léon Wilmotte, and Vincent Lorant Appropriateness of use of medicines in elderly inpatients: qualitative study BMJ 2005; 331: 935 [Abstract] [Full text]

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Ethical concerns

Ian J Hodgson   (20 July 2007)

Ethical concerns 20 July 2007
Ian J Hodgson, Lecturer University of Bradford, School of Health Studies, 25 Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0BB Send response to journal: Re: Ethical concerns	This paper raises some interesting issues, and as such promises to make a valuable contribution to the field of elderly care. However, I have serious concerns about the ethical conduct of the study. The 'disguised observation technique', though perhaps avoiding one possible bias, adds a host of other problems, not least negative reactions from respondents and subsequent issues around trust between clinical staff and researchers. In addition, it contravenes a central principle underlying recent developments in qualitative research - absolute respect for the respondent. The only justification for this - adopting the perspective of teleology (an approach not without problems) - is insufficiently considered by the authors in this paper. In studies employing the disguised observation technique, authors must argue their case convincingly, otherwise covert approaches will only be a reminder of the 'bad old days' of the 1960s. Competing interests: None declared