Health professionals involved in clinical research are required to follow a code of ethics that includes the following broad categories:

• beneficence and nonmaleficence
• integrity
• conflicts of interest
• privacy and confidentiality
• duties to society and compliance with the law
• duties to professional discipline and beneficiaries of practice

This code ensures that research participants will be treated with respect and that their welfare and rights will be safeguarded. No use of coercion or undue influence when recruiting patients will be allowed. Researchers will utilize sound ethical values and scientific principles in the design of the research. Conflicts of interest related to personal, professional, business, political, and/or financial influences are strictly regulated. They are sometimes allowed if disclosed. Full disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest is required. Researchers must maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the research participants. As a health professional, one must uphold the profession’s responsibility to society by promoting ethical and professional practice standards. The researcher also must uphold the relevant ethical and scientific standards of their specific professional discipline. It is required to report to the appropriate entity any colleague who engages in gross negligence, unethical or unprofessional conduct, or willful misconduct in the performance of services as related to their profession and/or clinical research. Any violation of the code of ethics by a health professional involved in clinical research is a serious offense potentially resulting in an investigation that can lead to penalties such as being removed from the project or termination of employment. Fortunately, there is required training for all health professionals involved in clinical research that will adequately prepare you to follow the required code of ethics.