Ethics Committee & REC Review
Resources, guidance, and information from the EFSTH Research Ethics Committee.
EFSTH REC Guidance
The EFSTH Research Ethics Committee (REC) meets monthly to review research applications for ethical approval. This guidance aims to assist applicants in submitting proposals that meet the Committee's requirements.
Please note that your application must contain sufficient details for the Committee to understand clearly what your project involves for EFSTH patients, staff and the broader hospital community. The Committee's primary concern is the safety and well-being of research participants. You must highlight any issues that may raise safety or ethical concerns. Also, you must describe your research methods adequately; to avoid unnecessary inconvenience or risks to research participants, the REC will not approve projects that are unlikely to achieve their stated aims.
Required Documents:
1. An application form
2. A research protocol or proposal
3. Forms that will be given to participants such as participant information sheets, consent forms and self-administered questionnaires
4. Copies of approval letters from other ethics committees if appropriate.
Please ensure that all documents include a version number and date. The version number and date should be updated if documents are modified and re-submitted.
In addition, for larger projects and clinical trials, please submit the CV and evidence of GCP training within the last 2 years for the Chief/Principal Investigator.
Submission Deadlines:
Applications submitted for approval by the EFSTH REC will be reviewed during the REC meetings held on the last Tuesday of every month. All applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the date of the forthcoming REC meeting to be included on the agenda.
Informed Consent:
Signed informed consent is not required for self-administered questionnaires where the participant can decide whether or not to complete and return the questionnaire. For studies that involve direct contact between the researcher and the participant, including interviews or completing a questionnaire together, a signed/thumbprinted informed consent form is required.
Please contact the REC Chair Prof Ousman Nyan ([email protected] or [email protected]) or Secretary Mr Samba Bah ([email protected]) should you require any clarifications or further information.
1. An application form
2. A research protocol or proposal
3. Forms that will be given to participants such as participant information sheets, consent forms and self-administered questionnaires
4. Copies of approval letters from other ethics committees if appropriate.
Please ensure that all documents include a version number and date. The version number and date should be updated if documents are modified and re-submitted.
In addition, for larger projects and clinical trials, please submit the CV and evidence of GCP training within the last 2 years for the Chief/Principal Investigator.
Submission Deadlines:
Applications submitted for approval by the EFSTH REC will be reviewed during the REC meetings held on the last Tuesday of every month. All applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the date of the forthcoming REC meeting to be included on the agenda.
Informed Consent:
Signed informed consent is not required for self-administered questionnaires where the participant can decide whether or not to complete and return the questionnaire. For studies that involve direct contact between the researcher and the participant, including interviews or completing a questionnaire together, a signed/thumbprinted informed consent form is required.
Please contact the REC Chair Prof Ousman Nyan ([email protected] or [email protected]) or Secretary Mr Samba Bah ([email protected]) should you require any clarifications or further information.