Funds were provided by a Canadian Institute of Health Research grant (Nominated PI: Monica Taljaard, PJT – 153045). Funds were also generously provided by Charles Weijer, who is funded by a Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Brehaut, Jamie C.

Campbell, Marion

Fergusson, Dean A.

Goldstein, Cory E.

Grimshaw, Jeremy M.

Hemming, Karla

Horn, Austin R.

Taljaard, Monica

Weijer, Charles

Trials

English

Abstract Background Quality and service improvement (QSI) research employs a broad range of methods to enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery. QSI research differs from traditional healthcare research and poses unique ethical questions. Since QSI research aims to generate knowledge to enhance quality improvement efforts, should it be considered research for regulatory purposes? Is review by a research ethics committee required? Should healthcare providers be considered research participants? If participation in QSI research entails no more than minimal risk, is consent required? The lack of consensus on answers to these questions highlights the need for ethical guidance. Main body Three distinct approaches to classifying QSI research in accordance with existing ethical principles and regulations can be found in the literature. In the first approach, QSI research is viewed as distinct from other types of healthcare research and does not require regulation. In the second approach, QSI research falls within regulatory guidelines but is exempt from research ethics committee review. In the third approach, QSI research is deemed to be part of the learning healthcare system and, as such, is subject to a different set of ethical principles entirely. In this paper, we critically assess each of these views. Conclusion While none of these approaches is entirely satisfactory, we argue that use of the ethical principles governing research provides the best means of addressing the numerous questions posed by QSI research

Cory E. Goldstein

Charles Weijer

Jamie C. Brehaut

Marion Campbell

Dean A. Fergusson

Jeremy M. Grimshaw

Karla Hemming

Austin R. Horn

Monica Taljaard

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Accommodating quality and service improvement research within existing ethical principles

Funds were provided by a Canadian Institute of Health Research grant (Nominated PI: Monica Taljaard, PJT – 153045). Funds were also generously provided by Charles Weijer, who is funded by a Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair.Peer reviewe

The Open University

https://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/10662/1/Accommodating_quality_and_service_improvement_research_within_existing_ethical_principles.pdf

Accommodating quality and service improvement research within existing ethical principles

Abstract

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Directory of Open Access Journals

The Open University