17. Research
 

If you take part in clinical drug trials or other research involving patients or
volunteers, you must make sure that the individual has given written consent
to take part in the trial and that the research is not contrary to the individual’s
interests. You should always seek further advice where your research
involves adults who are not able to make decisions for themselves. You may
also benefit from additional advice where your research involves children. You
must check that the research protocol has been approved by a properly
constituted research ethics committee.
You have an absolute duty to conduct all research with honesty and integrity:
• you must follow all aspects of the research protocol; you may
accept only those payments approved by a research ethics
committee;
• your conduct must not be influenced by payments or gifts;
• you must always record your research results truthfully and
maintain adequate records;
• when publishing results you must not make unjustified claims for
authorship;
• you have a duty to report evidence of fraud or misconduct in
research to an appropriate person or authority.

GMC Good Medical Practice, paragraphs 56, 57

The excellent GP
- ensures that research carried out in his or her practice is done to a high standard
- protects patients' rights, and makes sure that they are not disadvantaged by taking part in research
- provides accurate data
- preserves patients' confidentiality

The unacceptable GP
- ignores his or her responsibility to protect patients during research studies
- does not obtain consent from patients before entering them in research studies
- provides inaccurate or false data
- is motivated primarily by personal gain when deciding whether to take part in research