All human research conducted by members of Island Health or involving Island Health facilities, patients, residents, clients, staff, physicians, current data holdings, funding, or other resources requires Island Health ethical approval as part of the Institutional Approval process.
Research Ethics Boards (REBs) are independent committees authorized to review the ethical acceptability of research and to approve, reject, propose modifications to, or terminate any proposed or ongoing research involving human participants.
Island Health’s REBs are independent in their decision-making, and they are required to operate free of inappropriate influence, including situations of real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. Island Health may not override REB decisions concerning the ethical acceptability of a study.
There are two REBs providing review services for Island Health in accordance with the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2), the International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (ICH-GCP) and the requirements of the US Department of Health and Human Services, as set out in the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, 45CFR Part 46, sub-part A.
Research taking place in additional locations in British Columbia may be eligible for harmonized ethical review. Applications for multi-jurisdictional research will no longer be accepted in any other format than PREP applications on RISe.
Determine your REB
Submit your ethics application to the appropriate Island Health REB.