Informed consent for anaesthesiological and intensive care unit research: a South African perspective

Abstract

Health research is highly regulated and controlled. The South African legal framework consists of the Bill of Rights, the National Health Act, and two sets of Department of Health guidelines, Medical Research Council Ethical Guidelines Book 1, and South African Health Professions Council General Ethical Guidelines for Health Researchers (Booklet 6) add an ethical overlay to the care and protection of research participants. These acts, regulations and guidelines are based on accepted international ethical guidelines and principles.