Pervasive Healthcare IRBs and Ethics Reviews in Research: Going beyond the Paperwork

Pervasive healthcare Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and ethics reviews in research involve more than mere theoretical efforts. IRBs are formally designated groups that review and monitor research involving human subjects. IRBs exist within research institutions, but independent IRBs also exist and can be contracted to regulate research originating from institutions and companies without their own. IRBs have the authority to approve, require modifications, or deny research protocols based on ethical concerns. The goal of an IRB is not to judge the quality of research proposed, rather they seek to protect the welfare of human research subjects. Physical harm to a participant is the most obvious possible harm, but there are more to consider, including psychological, social, economic, and legal harm, as well as loss of autonomy and any forms of injustice documented as harms in the Belmont Report.