What are some best practices for obtaining informed consent from vulnerable populations?
Informed consent is a key principle of biomedical ethics that respects the autonomy and dignity of patients or participants in research. However, some groups may face challenges or barriers in understanding, communicating, or exercising their consent, such as children, people with disabilities, refugees, or indigenous communities. These are considered vulnerable populations, and they require special attention and protection from potential harm or exploitation. In this article, you will learn some best practices for obtaining informed consent from vulnerable populations, based on ethical guidelines and standards.