Institutional Review Board

PURPOSE

The University of Utah Institutional Review Board (IRB) may conduct community outreach activities with the goal of enhancing the understanding of research involving participants in the community.

SCOPE

This policy applies to the University of Utah IRB.

POLICY

The University of Utah IRB provides information to the research community and community at large regarding the rights of research participants and human subjects research. The University of Utah IRB encourages and promotes community outreach efforts through feedback materials, surveys, presentations, and  involvement with partnerships and programs which further develop and enrich the IRB’s relationship with the community.

The University of Utah IRB collaborates with other units in the Human Research Protection Program to engage with the research community, provide information about the IRB, and solicit feedback/input from the research community.

PROCEDURES

1. Maintaining Community Outreach Efforts Offered by the University of Utah IRB
   The IRB provides resources for research participants, prospective participants, researchers and the community.
   1. The IRB staff maintains a section of the IRB web site entitled Participant Resources which includes, but is not limited to the following information:
      • Research Participant’s Bill of Rights, brochure and survey
      • Contact information for help with insurance billing and clinical trials
      • Contact information for the IRB for questions, complaints, concerns or for additional information concerning rights as a research participant
      • Contact information for someone independent of the IRB to obtain answers to questions, express concerns or to provide input regarding the Human Research Protection Program
      • Research Participant Survey

      The IRB staff provides hard copies of any of the above materials as requested. The IRB works to provide translated versions of outreach materials when possible.

   2. Investigators are provided with a link to the IRB Customer Service Survey in each approval letter sent through the University of Utah Electronic Research Integrity and Compliance Administration system (ERICA).
   3. The IRB website includes links to web sites which provide additional information the rights of research participant such as:
      • Office for Human Research Protections
      • Food and Drug Administration
      • Belmont Report
   4. IRB members or staff conduct trainings or make presentations upon request.
   5. IRB members or staff are involved in partnerships and programs as directed by IRB leadership.
2. Improving Community Outreach Efforts Offered by the University of Utah IRB
   The Vice President for Research, Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Compliance, IRB Director, or designee(s) will evaluate, make changes, and implement changes to the outreach program as needed. These individuals may consult with the Education Director of the Office of the Vice President for Research Integrity, consider any complaints, concerns, suggestions, and other input from participants or others within the research community, and consider other departmental outreach efforts on the University of Utah campus.
   1. Periodic assessments of outreach efforts and the outreach program are done at least annually, and more frequently, if needed, as determined by the Vice President for Research, Associate Vice President for Research Integrity, IRB Director, or designee(s).