Internet cancer support groups: legal and ethical issues for nurse researchers.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore the legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of information obtained from Internet cancer support groups (ICSGs) in research.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles, news broadcasts, books, government reports.

DATA SYNTHESIS

ICSGs are a rich source of information for people with cancer, their families, caregivers, and nurse researchers. Because ICSGs are new in research, potential legal and ethical conflicts in this setting exist.

CONCLUSIONS

ICSGs are an early prototype of patient groups empowered to seek health through the use of information technology. Nurses are ideally suited to advance this new area of healthcare technology. Honoring the trust that patients have always placed in nurses is essential if this technology is to be developed further.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Given the dearth of guidelines to direct researchers, legal and ethical conflicts may occur. Nurse researchers should be cognizant of the potential legal and ethical implications involved in conducting research via the Internet.