ABSTRACT
Conducting research with the chronically ill raises a host of conceptual and methodological issues, some of which are common to any field research, others of which are unique to the problems of illness itself. The fact that research on the chronically ill often needs a longitudinal perspective raises certain problems as well. Particularly troublesome ethical issues arise when one is conducting research with the chronically ill. In research on the chronically ill, the most difficult ingredient of informed consent is volition. The writing of this chapter has prompted its authors to talk extensively about the lessons that have been learned from doing research on the chronically ill. Many researchers will find short-term studies and interventions highly compatible with their research training. The researcher must therefore attempt to assess the impact of physicians, nurses, and the entire medical setting on the patient to determine the meaning of particular psychological responses.
