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Bockhold S, McNulty J, Abdurakman E, Bezzina P, Drey N, England A, Flinton D, Khine R, McEntee M, Mekiš N, Precht H, Rainford L, Sá Dos Reis C, Santos A, Syrgiamiotis V, Willis S, Woodley J, Beardmore C, Harris R, O'Regan T, Malamateniou C. Research ethics systems, processes, and awareness across Europe: Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE). Radiography (Lond) 2022; 28:1032-1041. [PMID: 35964488 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Radiography Research Ethics Standards for Europe (RRESFE) project aims to provide a cross-sectional snapshot of current research ethics systems, processes, and awareness of such, across Europe together with identifying the associated challenges, education, and training needs. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey targeting radiography researchers in Europe was conducted. Data collection took place between April 26 and July 12, 2021, using a snowball sampling approach. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to identify trends in research ethics frameworks across Europe. RESULTS 285 responses were received across 33 European and 23 non-European countries. Most (n = 221; 95%) European respondents stated ethics approval is required before commencing research in their country. Requirements around research ethics approval and awareness of such requirements varied by European region (X2 (2, n = 129) = 7.234, p = 0.013) and were found to differ depending on the type of research participant and study design. Additionally, European respondents reported ethics approval is a national requirement more often than their non-European counterparts (X2 (1, n = 282) = 4.316, p = 0.049). Requirements for ethics approval were also associated with the undergraduate programme duration (2-year vs. 3-year vs. 3.5 year vs. 4-year vs. multiple programme durations; X2 (4, n = 231) = 10.075, p = 0.016) and availability of postgraduate training (postgraduate training available vs. postgraduate training not available; X2 (1, n = 231) = 15.448, p = <0.001) within respondents' country. CONCLUSION Respondents from countries with longer programme durations/availability of multiple programme lengths, availability of postgraduate training, and establishment of European Qualifications Framework Level 6 were generally associated with less uncertainty and more comprehensive research ethics requirements. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Results are informative of the current status of research ethics within evidence-based radiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bockhold
- Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - J McNulty
- Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - E Abdurakman
- Division of Midwifery and Radiography, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, United Kingdom
| | - P Bezzina
- Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, L-Università ta' Malta, Malta
| | - N Drey
- Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, United Kingdom
| | - A England
- Discipline of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - D Flinton
- Division of Midwifery and Radiography, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, United Kingdom
| | - R Khine
- School of Health Care and Social Work, Buckinghamshire New University, United Kingdom
| | - M McEntee
- Discipline of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - N Mekiš
- Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - H Precht
- Diagnostic and Treatment and Radiography Education, Health Sciences Research Centre, UCL University College, Denmark
| | - L Rainford
- Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Sá Dos Reis
- Radiological Medical Imaging Technology, School of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - A Santos
- Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Portugal
| | - V Syrgiamiotis
- CT-MRI Department, General Children's Hospital of Athens Agia Sophia, and University of West Attica, Greece
| | - S Willis
- Health Education England, National Health Service, London, United Kingdom
| | - J Woodley
- School of Health and Social Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - C Beardmore
- Society and College of Radiographers, London, United Kingdom
| | - R Harris
- Society and College of Radiographers, London, United Kingdom
| | - T O'Regan
- Society and College of Radiographers, London, United Kingdom
| | - C Malamateniou
- Division of Midwifery and Radiography, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, United Kingdom.
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