A novel framework for reflecting on the functioning of research ethics review panels.

Full Abstract

In the past decade structures and processes for the ethical review of UK health care research have undergone rapid change. Although this has focused users' attention on the functioning of review committees, it remains rare to read a substantive view from the inside. This article presents details of processes and findings resulting from a novel structured reflective exercise undertaken by a newly formed research ethics review panel in a university school of nursing and midwifery. By adopting and adapting some of the knowledge to be found in the art and science of malt whisky tasting, a framework for critical reflection is presented and applied. This enables analysis of the main contemporary issues for a review panel that is primarily concerned with research into nursing education and practice. In addition to structuring the panel's own literary narrative, the framework also generates useful visual representation for further reflection. Both the analysis of issues and the framework itself are presented as of potential value to all nurses, health care professionals and educationalists with an interest in ethical review.

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Author information

Author/s: Macduff, Colin (C); McKie, Andrew (A); Martindale, Sheelagh (S); Rennie, Anne Marie (AM); West, Bernice (B); Wilcock, Sylvia (S);

Affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7QG, Scotland, UK. c.macduff(-atsign-)rgu.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Nursing ethics (Nurs Ethics), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jan; vol 14 (issue 1) : pp 99-116

Dates: Created 2007/03/05; Completed 2007/04/13; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17334174, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Ethical Analysis - methods
Ethical Review
Ethics Committees, Research - organization & administration
Ethics, Research
Great Britain
Guidelines as Topic
Health Services Research - ethics

Humans
Models, Organizational
Models, Psychological
Organizational Objectives
Organizational Policy
Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) - organization & administration
Philosophy, Medical

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