We oversee the ethical conduct and decision making in clinical and health research projects that use human participants, materials, and information.
We aim to build capacity in ethics, integrity, and compliance through educating, advising, research, policy/guidance development, and administration. We are also responsible for administration relating to the Island Health two Research Ethics Boards (REBs): Clinical and Health.
This office also manages the process of Operational Review. This refers to the use of Island Health resources such as access to medical or other records, or impact on Island Health clinical or service resources which may be used in a research project. This is conducted concurrently to ethical review.
For a research project to begin at Island Health both Research Ethics and Operational Review must be complete for Institutional Approval to be released.
Research Ethics
The process of ethical review evaluates all proposed research by an independent committee (REB) of experts which examines the research study through the lens of prospective participants. The REB’s assessment of a proposed study’s ethical acceptability is guided by core principles of research ethics (e.g. justice, concern for welfare, and respect for persons).
The underlying value of research ethics review is respect for human dignity. The review process ensures that research involving humans is sensitive to the inherent worth of all human beings and the respect and consideration they are due.
Site-Specific Requirements
- Your research may have privacy implications - if you have questions about privacy considerations for your research study please visit Research Privacy at Island Health BEFORE submitting to the REB.
- Researchers must obtain Institutional Approval from Island Health prior to commencing any human participant research studies taking place at Island Health. See our Operational Review page for more details.
- Researchers who do not hold an Island Health appointment must appoint an individual who holds an Island Health appointment as site lead or Co-Investigator for the research.
Research Ethics Boards
Level of REB Review
Apply for Research Ethics and Operational Review
Templates and Forms
Operational Review and Institutional Approval
Reports and Metrics
The Research Ethics & Compliance Office sets priorities annually based on the goals and objectives related to research in Island Health's strategic framework.
RECO Priorities Plans
2024-2025 Priorities Plan
2023-2024 Priorities Plan
2022-2023 Priorities Plan
2021-2022 Priorities Plan
RECO Annual Reports
2023-2024 Annual Report
2022-2023 Annual Report
2021-2022 Annual Report