Declaration of Helsinki

A short visit to Helsinki has me reflecting on the Declaration of Helsinki, which was adopted by the 18th World Medical Association General Assembly nearly 60 years ago.

The ethical principles in the Declaration underpin our work in healthcare, putting the health, well-being, and rights of patients first. Protecting health, dignity and ensuring respect for all patients is at its core. Nine amendments have been published since the initial Declaration building upon the statement and refining the guiding principles.

With the luxury of some free time to re-read the Declaration of Helsinki, I came across an interesting editorial published in 2022 where Springer Nature editors urge consideration of the potential harms of research relating to human populations, and encourage authors to respect the dignity and rights of groups of people. The guidance is thought provoking and worth a read.

This pause from my daily work has been a helpful reminder to apply the research guidance framework to all written work: Consider all implications, strive to minimise potential for misuse and to use respectful, non-stigmatising language. When writing our content, be it a research report, HTA submission, publication, or educational material, it is our responsibility to consider how our text could influence perceptions and ensure that we always do no harm and do our best for the patients we are ultimately working for.