Challenges in the ethics review process of clinical scientific research projects in China

A study on the normative path of ethics review in China: based on the perspective of Panopticism

Modern biomedical technology is in an era of dramatic development, which brings unprecedented challenges to the work of ethics review and provides a turning point for the construction of ethics review system. The current ethics review committee (ERC) in China is executed with low efficiency and quality, which can hardly meet the current needs of biomedical research involving human beings. This paper summarizes the main connotations and roles of the sign system technique and the discipline mechanism through the idea of Foucault's Panopticism, and proposes to incorporate the Panopticism into the construction of the ethics review system and establish the sign system and discipline mechanism of ethics review, in order to build an ethics review system and the operation system of the ethics review committee suitable for China's national conditions.

Analysis of factors influencing the organizational capacity of Institutional Review Boards In China: a crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on 107 cases

BACKGROUND

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a vital role in safeguarding the rights and interests of both research participants and researchers. However, China initiated the establishment of its own IRB system relatively late in comparison to international standards. Despite commendable progress, there is a pressing need to strengthen the organizational capacity building of Chinese IRBs. Hence, this study aims to analyze the key factors driving the enhancement of organizational capacity within these committees.

METHOD

The cross-sectional survey for this research was conducted from July 2020 to January 2022. Following the statistical grouping based on the "2020 China Health Statistical Yearbook", a systematic investigation of IRBs in various provinces of China was carried out. In-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys were conducted with the chairpersons and administrative executives (or secretaries) of highly cooperative IRBs. Subsequently, data were collected from 107 IRBs. Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) was employed as the method to analyze the factors influencing the organizational capacity of medical ethics committees and explore the diverse combinations of these factors.

RESULTS

Through a singular necessary condition analysis, the variable "protection of rights and interests" emerges as a critical factor contributing to the robust construction of Institutional Review Boards Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). Conversely, the variables of "lack of member ability, absence of review process, and deficiency in the supervision mechanism" collectively constitute a sufficient condition leading to weaker IRB construction. The state analysis uncovers three interpretation modes: member ability-oriented (M1), system process-oriented mode (M2), and resource system-oriented mode (M3).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study are effectively explicable using the "Triangular Force" model proposed for the hypothesis of IRBs' organizational capacity, which provides a solid foundation for the development of organizational capabilities in IRBs. To enhance the organizational capacity of IRBs in China, it is imperative to elevate the competence of committee members and strengthen team development. This can be achieved by establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework and refining procedural protocols. Moreover, clarifying the organizational structure and optimizing resource allocation are essential steps in bolstering the overall organizational capabilities of these committees.

Performance of IRBs in China: a survey on IRB employees and researchers' experiences and perceptions

Background

Performance evaluation is vital for IRB operations. As the number of IRBs and their responsibilities in reviewing and supervising clinical research grow in China, there is a significant need to evaluate their performances. To date, little research has examined IRB performance within China. The aim of this study was to ascertain the perspectives and experiences of IRB employees and researchers to (1) understand the current status of IRBs; (2) compare collected results with those of other countries; and (3) identify shortcomings to improve IRB performance.

Methods

This study was conducted in China from October 2020 to September 2021, using an online survey with the IRB-researcher assessment tool-Chinese version.

Results

757 respondents were included in the analysis and classified into IRB employees, researchers, or those who are both IRB employees and researchers. Overall, the score for an ideal IRB was significantly higher than that of an actual IRB. Compared to the US National Validation study, Chinese participants and American participants both agree and differ in their perspectives on the most and least important ideal items.

Conclusion

This investigation provides a benchmark of the perceived performance of actual IRBs in China. IRBs in China can be precisely adjusted by targeting identified areas of weakness to improve their performances.

Cross-cultural validation of the IRB Researcher Assessment Tool: Chinese Version

BACKGROUND

Using an effective method for evaluating Institutional Review Board (IRB) performance is essential for ensuring an IRB's effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance with applicable human research standards and organizational policies. Currently, no empirical research has yet been published in China evaluating IRB performance measures by the use of a standardized tool. This study was therefore conducted to develop a Chinese version of the IRB Researcher Assessment Tool (IRB-RAT), assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version (IRB-RAT-CV), and validate the tool for use in China.

METHODS

In this cultural adaptation, cross-sectional validation study, the IRB-RAT-CV was developed through a back-translation process and then distributed to 587 IRB staff members and researchers in medical institutions and schools in Hunan Province that review biomedical and social-behavioral research. Data from the 470 valid questionnaires collected from participants was used to evaluate the reliability, content validity, and construct validity of the IRB-RAT-CV.

RESULTS

Participants' ratings of their ideal and actual IRB as measured by the IRB-RAT-CV achieved Cronbach's alpha 0.989 and 0.992, Spearman-Brown coefficient 0.964 and 0.968, and item-total correlation values ranging from 0.631 to 0.886 and 0.743 to 0.910, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The IRB-RAT-CV is a linguistically and culturally applicable tool for assessing the quality of IRBs in China.

Developing Quality and Efficiency of Institutional Review Board Review Under a Human Research Protection Program at a Leading Hospital in Central Southern China: A Descriptive Analysis of the First Three Years

This study analyzes the Institutional Review Board (IRB) quality and efficiency at a leading hospital in Central Southern China, under the first three years of a Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). We conducted a descriptive, retrospective analysis from 2015 through 2017. We extracted characteristics from the protocol archive in duplicate. Of 396 protocols submitted, 98% were approved. Mean protocol review time decreased from 23 to 15 calendar days, 344 serious adverse events SAEs were reviewed, and 93 conflicts of interest (COIs) were disclosed. IRB quality and efficiency mechanisms improved. Remaining needs include increased monitoring of COIs and unanticipated problem involving risks to subjects or others, distinctions between research types, and cooperation with specialized committees.