1. Including persons who are civilly committed in research – comments from a researcher Marit Helene Hem, PhD, Post doc researher Center for Medical Ethics Institute of Health and Society Den 3. nasjonale konferansen om forskning og kunnskapsutvikling om bruk av tvang i det psykiske helsevernet Holmen Fjordhotell 5.-6. april 2011

2. Introduction Ethically permissible to include in research those persons who are admitted against their own will to a psychiatric ward?

3. The qualitative researcher, vulnerable research subjects and ethical conduct The qualitative researcher: exploration of people’s experiences; in-depth understanding; open-ended and unpredictable Vulnerable research subjects: in need of protection? Nature of mental illness? Ethical conduct: moral sensitivity, mindfulness

4. Research ethics review Protection of the rights and welfare of research subjects Standardization and control of research Informed consent – what does it mean to be informed? What does it mean to consent? When is a consent informed and voluntary? Process consent?

5. Communication between review boards and researchers Institutional control is neccessary Researchers are powerful – the need for control Participants are powerless and vulnerable – the need for protection Communication and mutual trust