Posted by akc on October 29, 2001, at 13:02:32
In reply to Re: New informed consent procedure, posted by tina on October 29, 2001, at 10:36:36
> What is the problem here people?? Why is this such a tempest in a teacup??
I guess my point (and problem) is that some of the people in the biggest emotional crisis might have the biggest trouble with this. It seems like no big deal at all when I am happy go lucky. However, there have been days that such a quiz would have been virtually impossible. Yet, I would not have been incompetent -- just overwhelmed. And I think there is a big difference. Just because I am having a really bad time does not mean I am incapable of giving informed consent.
Dr. Bob speaks above about being able to judge in person whether a person is able to give informed consent. There is a lot of things a person can do "in person" that is impossible on-line. Ask different questions, read body-language, give additional information, ask for questions, etc. Dr. Bob is using the quiz to take the place of a lot of that stuff. My opinion is that it is a poor substitute. Hence, some people who could really benefit from this site may only get limited use (just reading the posts) or none at all (not feeling "welcome," they quickly move on).
Now here comes the big problem -- I don't have a better idea. Dr. Bob is right that my just let them read it and sign it (when we know they won't read it) is not informed consent. Even if that happens in a lot of contexts in the real world (both on line and off), doesn't make it "right." Unless Dr. Bob begins to interview each person who wants to join Psycho-Babble, there has to be a process that he can use to judge whether a person has some concept of what's going on. I hate the quiz idea -- I still think there has to be a better way. But I am still racking my brain to come up with that idea.
akc
poster:akc
thread:315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/2247.html