UM SOM: Health Research Ethics Training Initiative In Egypt (HRETIE)

Infrastructure Needs for Research Ethics Committees in Developing Countries: Lessons from Egypt

Henry Silverman¹, Nahed Kandeel^2
1University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA
²Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

Background: Although several educational training programs exist in research ethics, few initiatives have focused on building the necessary infrastructure for the ethical review of research within the developing world.

Aim: To highlight the infrastructure needs for RECs in Egypt.

Methods: Informal discussions with individuals from several RECs in Egypt.

Discussion: We identified the following infrastructure needs for RECs: 1) Process Management: a well-functioning REC depends on efficient and streamlined processes that manage the submission, approval, and tracking of research protocols. Process management needs include administrative staff, offices, computers, and information resources, such as uniform guidance materials and templates to guide research review. Egyptian institutions have limited financial resources to address these needs. 2) Communication and Logistic Infrastructure: RECs require accessibility and availability of their members as well as effective communications among REC members and between an REC and investigators. Academic factors in Egypt (e.g., time-constraints and off-campus activities of faculty and investigators, etc.) frustrate the efficient review by RECs. 3) Education Infrastructure: RECs need competent members and access to consultants with expertise in research ethics. Additional educational opportunities are needed to supplement on-going traditional methods of training. 4) Networking Infrastructure: Networking between RECs can enhance information sharing, policy development, and shared strategies for protecting research subjects. An academic sociologic reality in Egypt is the limited communication and interaction between different universities and research institutes that can lead to inconsistent practices in the review and conduct of research.

Conclusion: Emphasis needs to be placed on the infrastructure needs of RECs to further enhance the ethical review of research in Egypt. The authors will discuss the advantage of novel, cost-effective, technological approaches (e.g., internet technology) that can address the mentioned infrastructure needs for RECs. The experience in Egypt might have relevance to other developing countries, especially those in the Middle East.

Printer friendly Email this page