Are Research Ethics Committees Prepared for Community-Based Participatory Research?. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tamariz, Leonardo; Medina, Heidy; Taylor, Janielle; Carrasquillo, Olveen; Kobetz, Erin; Palacio, Ana
• Is Part Of: Journal of empirical research on human research ethics. Volume 10:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 488
• Page End: 495
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: community-based participatory research -- IRB/REC forms -- community involvement -- community consent -- community risk; Medical ethics -- Research -- Periodicals; Research -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 174.205
• DOI: 10.1177/1556264615615008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-2646

Abstract

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is challenging to research ethics committees (RECs). We reviewed the REC preparedness when reviewing CBPR projects. We searched the MEDLINE database and included qualitative studies of CBPR researchers or REC members about their experiences with RECs. The search yielded 107 studies, of which 10 met our criteria. Barriers were that the community is not prepared to conduct research, the reluctance of RECs to work outside the university, the difficulty RECs have understanding CBPR, and that REC forms evaluate individual rather than community risk. Facilitators were having a CBPR expert as an REC member and educating RECs. Therefore, RECs are not prepared to evaluate CBPR projects leading to unnecessary delays in the approval process.