Results of a self-assessment tool to assess the operational characteristics of research ethics committees in low- and middle-income countries.

Abstract:

PURPOSE:Many research ethics committees (RECs) have been established in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in response to increased research in these countries. How well these RECs are functioning remains largely unknown. Our objective was to assess the usefulness of a self-assessment tool in obtaining benchmarking data on the extent to which RECs are in compliance with recognised international standards. METHODS:REC chairs from several LMICs (Egypt, South Africa and India) were asked to complete an online self-assessment tool for RECs with a maximum score of 200. Individual responses were collected anonymously. RESULTS:The aggregate mean score was 137.4±35.8 (∼70% of maximum score); mean scores were significantly associated with the presence of a budget (p<0.001), but not with duration of existence, frequency of meetings, or the presence of national guidelines. As a group, RECs achieved more than 80% of the maximum score for the following domains: submission processes and documents received, recording of meeting minutes, criteria for ethical review and criteria for informed consent. RECs achieved less than 80% of the maximum score for the following domains: institutional commitment, policies and procedures of the REC, membership composition and training, policies and procedures for protocol review, elements of a decision letter and criteria for continuing review. CONCLUSIONS:This study highlights areas where RECs from LMICs can improve to be in compliance with recommended international standards for RECs. The self-assessment tool provides valuable benchmarking data for RECs and can serve as a quality improvement method to help RECs enhance their operations.

journal_name

J Med Ethics

authors

Silverman H,Sleem H,Moodley K,Kumar N,Naidoo S,Subramanian T,Jaafar R,Moni M

doi

10.1136/medethics-2013-101587

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2015-04-01 00:00:00

pages

332-7

issue

4

eissn

0306-6800

issn

1473-4257

pii

medethics-2013-101587

journal_volume

41

pub_type

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