Consent to research: Research involving vulnerable adults

1. 21. Some adults with capacity may be vulnerable to pressure to take part in research. You should be aware that their health or social circumstances might make them vulnerable to pressure from others. Vulnerable adults may be, for example, living in care homes or other institutions, or have learning difficulties or mental illness. In these circumstances, it is particularly important that you check whether they need any additional support to understand information or to make a decision.¹⁰  You must make sure that they know they have the right to decline to participate in research, and that they are able to decline if they want to. The Royal College of Physicians of London provides further guidance on involving vulnerable groups in research.¹¹
2. 22. You should raise concerns with a senior colleague, or your employing or contracting organisation, if systems are not in place to provide the additional support that vulnerable adults may need to make a decision about taking part in research. If you are not sure when or how to raise concerns, you should follow the guidance in Raising concerns about patient safety.¹²