Principles of research ethics

The Health Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for paramedics expect registrants to be competent in practising evidence-based practice. Although the treatments a paramedic can provide are steered by the Joint Royal Colleges Liaison Committee (JRCALC) Guidelines, it is important we can access good quality relevant research to ensure the care we provide our patients is based on the best available evidence. As paramedic education continues to evolve, it is likely more paramedics will wish to become involved in proposing and conducting research relevant and accessible to our own unique profession. The Department of Health's Research Governance Framework outlines the standards and responsibilities expected to be recognized by those wishing to propose and conduct research, and sets out the key ethical issues that are expected to be addressed as part of the research process.

The principles of beneficence (minimizing harm and maximizing benefits) and non-maleficence (a duty to protect or minimize harm) are fundamental to the ethical treatment of research participants. Informed consent is considered the keystone of ethical research and researchers must ensure participants fully understand the potential risks and benefits of the research they are participating in and as much information as possible must be given for consent to be valid, in the form of information sheets, for example.