The Belmont Report is a crucial document for all health care providers who may be involved in research. While the nurse may not be the principle researcher, the nurse must act as an advocate for the patient who may be involved in a research project. The Belmont Report was developed in the aftermath of the recognition that the United States was still engaging in horrific research that negated the basic rights the United States claimed to cherish. All health care providers must cherish these rights. The most basic of these rights is autonomy. Individuals have a right to make their own decisions with regards to their personhood. In addition, nurses must ensure that no harm befalls their patients. Lastly, the principle of justice is crucial. Patients who endure the research should benefit from it (Belmont Report, 1979).
As a dialysis nurse, there are a number of specific concerns with regards to the Belmont Report and patients. Many patients on dialysis suffer from chronic dementia. They are sick patients. They are elderly patients and have a number of co-morbidities. For many of them, they lack the ability to be aware of their own concerns. As a result, the person may have a health care surrogate. It is crucial that this process is respected. In addition, since the person is on dialysis for years, the nurse knows these patients. If there is any concern with regards to the patient developing dementia or not being able to make his or her own decisions, the nurse is likely to be the first one to note this condition. The nurse must be an advocate for the patient in this regard. In addition, it is well-known that end-stage renal failure occurs more often in minorities for a number of reasons. These include hypertensions and Type II dialysis occurring in more often in minorities. For this reason, these patients already suffer from a health disparity. It is crucial to ensure that another health disparity does not occur with regards to burdening them with research. They should benefit from any research they endure (Polit & Beck, 2014, pp. 121-24).
- Belmont Report. (1979). Overview. Retrieved from: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html
- Polit, F. D., & Beck, T. C. (2014). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
