An Exploration of Biobanking Ethical Issues among Cancer Patients and Health Care Professionals at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza

Abstract

Background: Biobanking studies enhance the discoveries in Medicine to improve human health challenges through targeted individualized diagnosis, prevention, and therapy to cancer patients. But biobanking ethical issues remain indispensable in the field of medicine. Therefore, this study informs about the biobanking ethical issues among cancer patients and health care professionals. Aim of the study: To explore biobanking ethical issues among Cancer patients and Health Care Professionals at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania Methodology: The study used the exploratory study design involving Cancer Patients and Health Care Professionals. The participants were selected purposively from Bugando Medical Centre. Data were collected using In-depth interviews and the conversations were audio-recorded. The audios were then transcribed verbatim and the transcriptions were analyzed using content analysis with the help of NVivo 10 software to identify relevant themes and tracing of quotations. Findings: The findings in this study were inductively led to the formation of four main themes which are the perception of Cancer patients and health care professionals in decision making on biobanking; perception of cancer patients and health care professionals on privacy in biobanking; perception of cancer patients and health care professionals on ownership of stored biospecimens; and perception of cancer patients and health care professionals on commercialism in biobanking. Conclusion: Comprehensive information which covers the expected future procedures of the study, its purpose, and related benefits are necessary before the commencement of research in health care settings to address biobanking ethical issues among the participants of the research. This will enhance decision-making among biobanking partners.