Connections between science and care within public and global health research: the need for attention and action

Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Connections between science and care are common, such as when people access particular therapies through participating in research. However, interactions go far beyond medical treatment, with other kinds of advice and support (including direct financial support) also warranting consideration. Such complexities of the science–care relationship are often not fully accounted for by formal ethical and governance processes and approvals. This can result in morally justifiable action, while also engendering uncertainty and unease among research teams. Acts that are ostensibly caring can on occasion and inadvertently also be harmful (the informal circulation of contested health-related claims or even ‘misinformation’ by research team members). Here, we argue that the connections between science and care require more dedicated attention from across the research ecosystem. This includes from funders, whose conventions can inappropriately restrict the care that researchers could and should provide. We also indicate the need for further studies by social scientists into how public and global health researchers navigate challenges related to care.