How-to guidelines for the prioritisation of reviews of research protocols during global crises: a framework for research ethics committees
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: During sudden, global crises, when confronted with limited resources and increasing workloads, research ethics committees (RECs) may face significant challenges related to the ethical reviews of protocols. The “How-to guidelines” offer guidance on how RECs can adjust their ethical review process during global crises. The guidance outlines a framework for prioritising research protocols, addressing the necessary structural and procedural changes, and suggesting criteria for revised approaches. The report is based on a global survey of RECs and existing literature, with the goal of helping committees prepare for future crises. This is a preprint and has not undergone a full academic peer review. It is shared to facilitate timely dissemination and feedback. -- Funded by the European Union. UK participants in Horizon Europe Project PREPARED are supported by UK Research and Innovation grant number 10048353 (University of Central Lancashire). Swiss participants in Horizon Europe Project Prepared are supported by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Research Executive Agency or UKRI or SERI. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority nor UKRI or SERI can be held responsible for them.
Language: English
Topic: Ethics in Clinical Research
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W7118385272