In-Home Monitoring of Persons With Dementia: Ethical Guidelines for Technology Research and Development
By Mahoney, Diane F.; Purtilo, Ruth B.; Webbe, Frank M.; Alwan, Majd; Bharucha, Ashok J.; Adlam, Tim D.; Jimison, Holly B.; Turner, Beverly; Becker, S. Ann;; Alzheimer's & Dementia, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 217-226Publication Date: 2007
Article identifies and discusses research and development issues relevant to the in-home monitoring of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from an ethical perspective. The Belmont Report, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is recommended as the guideline for conducting research involving participants with AD, specifically its principles of Respect for individuals’ autonomy and safety; Beneficence, that is minimizing potential harm while maximizing possible benefits; and Justice, as in just distribution of both the risks and the benefits to potential participants. Case examples are offered illustrating safety and privacy issues that can arise during implementation of such technologies as the Internet and “smart viewer” monitoring systems. The authors (1) caution researchers to consider humanistic concerns as central amidst the complexities of technology research and development; (2) admonish grant reviewers and institutional review board members to avoid stifling technology innovations out of personal bias; and (3) warn families and other end-users against overestimating the capability of new technologies and letting down their vigilance over their care recipients. Also discussed are differences in cultures, legal systems, and regulatory environments to be considered when conducting research involving participants in other countries.
Published by: Elsevier Inc. (Website:http://www.elsevier.com)
Link to text: http://www.orcatech.org/papers/2007/Mahoney_InHomeMonitoring_AlzDem.pdf
