Research Ethics
The Purpose of the Research Ethics Board is to Ensure the Protection of Study Volunteers in Research
The Research Ethics Board follows the guidelines in the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. These guidelines were released in 1998 by the Medical Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Before any research that involves living human subjects can take place at Windsor Regional Hospital, the proposal for research must undergo a review and approval process by the Research Ethics Board to ensure that the research complies with the highest of ethical standards. The REB will approve whether the scientific question or hypothesis is significant enough to warrant the use of human subjects and that the proposed study and conduct of their research demonstrate:
- respect for human dignity
- respect for voluntary and informed consent
- respect for vulnerable persons
- respect for privacy and confidentiality
- respect for the welfare and rights of research subjects by balancing harms and benefits through minimizing harm and by maximizing beneficence.
Guiding Principles for Research at Windsor Regional Hospital
Keeping with its mission and values, Windsor Regional Hospital is a public institution whose resources, staff and health care practitioners are dedicated to providing excellence in health care. Improving the quality of life through the advancement of human health care is an important component of excellence in health care.
Research is a fundamental activity for the generation of new knowledge and thereby the improvement of patient care. The research conducted in affiliation with Windsor Regional Hospital is of considerable benefit to the community, its health care practitioners, and the hospital. Research activities also enhance the education and awareness of the medical, nursing, and allied health care professionals in the institution.
FAQs for Research Participants
Who proposes the studies conducted at Windsor Regional Hospital?
Proposals for research come from various sources:
- A number come from doctors who would like to investigate a new therapy for a drug company involved in multicentre, international trials,
- Some come from related Health Care Study Agencies as well as Universities,
- A number have been proposed by students in the process of completing educational requirements,
- And some even come from our own staff members.
Can I participate in a research study?
Each study has a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. If it looks like a patient meets the requirements for the study, (s)he will be approached by the researcher or a member of his/her research team and will be given information about the study and what the extent of their commitment will be.
Can I withdraw my consent, and "get out of a study" if I want to?
Yes - For your protection, the consent to participate is very complete and details all the information about the study. Every consent to research must include a statement that a patient may withdraw without it, in any way, prejudicing the care (s)he will receive.
What if I have a question about the study I'm enrolled in?
You receive a copy of the consent form you signed. Should any questions or concerns arise, your consent form contains the phone numbers of the Researcher and his/her coordinator, as well as the Research Ethics Board contact person.
Resources and Information for Researchers