Creating Accessible Educational Tools for Institutional Review Boards
Authors: Shahid, S.
Conference: Master of Bioethics Capstone Symposium
Abstract:Research Ethics Snapshots is a resource designed by Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) to provide institutional review boards (IRBs) with opportunities for short educational sessions at IRB meetings, and to help IRB members stay up-to-date on current regulations while tackling important ethical issues. Research ethics snapshots are one-page guidelines about emerging and unsettled issues in bioethics designed to aid discussion among members of IRBs reviewing proposed research involving human subjects. They serve as educational tools that introduce a bioethical challenge, provide some background information with and a mini case study concerning the relevant topic, and offer a set of questions designed to promote discussion and practical application.
The goal of this capstone was to work with PRIM&R to create two research ethics snapshots—one on obtaining assent in research with children, and another on conflicts of interest regarding academic-industry partnerships. To create these snapshots, this capstone targeted select subject areas that are current and relevant to IRBs. The challenge was to identify topics that were complex enough to generate thoughtful discussion, but that could also be condensed into a one-page format useful for a focused, brief educational session. These snapshots provide an example of an ethically challenging case that IRB members might face, suggest questions they should raise that identify the key ethical dilemmas, and provide links to additional material for further reference. After drafting the snapshots, each was reviewed by two subject matter experts for their feedback and to ensure validity and coherence. The final versions of the snapshots developed through this work are accessible through the Knowledge Center on the PRIM&R website for IRB staff and members.
Source: Manual