<p>The concept of therapeutic misconception is explored following the Wilson method of concept analysis. The phenomenon, identified in the early 1980s, was first observed during interviews with psychiatric patients who had consented to research, but believed the study in which they were agreeing to participate was for their benefit. The concept has more recently been identified in oncology research subjects, primarily those participating in phase I trials. Using the Wilson method, the investigator identified four elements present in therapeutic misconception in which subjects:</p> ■<p>Confuse research with treatment.</p> ■<p>Believe they will receive physical benefit from study participation.</p> ■<p>Fail to list altruism and contribution to science as motives for participating in the study.</p> ■<p>Inflate response rates and misinterpret study purpose.</p>