QI Ethics Report Published, January 2025
The QI Ethics team has prepared the most recent version of the QI Ethics report called QI For You & I, Issue #15. As you will see, the report includes background information, consult volumes, specific project highlights, as well as a listing of projects most recently registered in the tool.
A big shout out to the entire team (E. Sarah Bennett, Jaclyn Morrison, Victoria Philibert, Catherine Marrie, Kaitlin Blackwood) for all their help in pulling this together and for their continued support of QI ethics consults.
Archived Announcements
- Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Development and Review of Research Grant Proposals
-
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) released new guidance to support the building and evaluation of research grant proposals. November 2024.
- Declaration of Helsinki 2024 Amendment
-
The World Medical Association (WMA) recently amended the Declaration of Helsinki at the October 2024 General Assembly. This document is a statement of ethical principles for medical research involving humans that was originally adopted in 1964 in response to the conduct of unethical research during World War II. October 2024.
- World Health Organization (WHO) Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials
-
This guidance aims to improve clinical research efficiency, reduce research waste and support clinical trials to pivot in times of emergency on a local and global scale. October 2024.
- Artificial Intelligence Systems: Island Health Research Ethics Guide
-
The Research Ethics & Compliance Office has released the first version of an AI guidance document that strives to provide Island Health researchers with advice and resources on how to prepare for a smooth research ethics review of projects using artificial intelligence by either of the two Island Health research ethics boards. As a living document, this guidance is meant as a starting point only. April 2024.
- REB Review Deadlines
-
Full board review is generally required for research that involves surgery, clinical interventions, or the analysis of clinical data and research that is predominantly behavioural or social sciences related and above minimal risk.
Find the monthly deadline for full board review. Please be mindful of these deadlines if you are seeking research ethics approval. Applications submitted after 12 p.m. on the deadline date will be reviewed at the following full board meeting, 5 to 6 weeks later. December 2023
- New Guide on Collecting Data on Race and Ethnicity
-
In June 2023, BC Stats, through the Ministry of Citizens' Services, released a Guide on Using Categorical Race and Ethnicity Variables to support anti-racism research in British Columbia. This tool will help users of administrative and survey data to appropriately and consistently incorporate race and ethnicity variables into their projects. August 2023
- Case Reports and Research Ethics Review at Island Health
-
Individual patient case reports may not meet the definition of research, depending upon the intent of the report. Research Ethics Board (REB) staff should be contacted for a consultation and discussion if you are planning to conduct a case report, and prior to beginning. Please visit our page on Exemptions from Research Ethics Review for guidance and more information. March 2023
- Health Canada Notice
Period reduced for keeping clinical trial records for drugs and natural health products. -
The notice previously stated that the change in record retention applied only to trials authorized in the last 15 years. It now states that it is for any trials previously approved that still had on-going record retention requirements. April 2022
- Updated Memo