Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2004

Keywords

Cardiology Service, Hospital, Data Collection, Decision Making, Organizational, Ethical Review, Ethics Committees, Research, Ethics, Research, Health Services Research, Hospitals, Public, Humans, Ireland, Multicenter Studies as Topic, Tissue and Organ Procurement

Comments

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ethical approval of research projects is, appropriately, an essential prerequisite in health settings. AIMS: This paper outlines difficulties encountered with procedures for gaining ethical approval for two multicentre surveys in Ireland. METHODS: The experiences of two national surveys were documented. RESULTS: Delays in processing ethics applications led to substantial delays in both surveys. Research ethics committees (RECs) assessed applications in an idiosyncratic manner. CONCLUSION: In Ireland, there is currently no accepted mechanism for single location ethical approval for multicentre studies. Instead, they require separate approval from all participating centres. The challenges of this system of application to multiple committees are outlined in this paper, and possible solutions presented.

Disciplines

Education | Psychology

Citation

Smith M, Doyle F, McGee HM, De La Harpe D. Ethical approval for national studies in Ireland: an illustration of current challenges. Irish Journal of Medical Science 2004;173(2):72-4.

PubMed ID

15540705


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