Access to death certificates: What should research ethics committees require for approval?

Nilstun, T, Cartwright, C, Lofmark, R, Deliens, L, Fischer, S, Miccinesi, G, Norup, M and Van Der Heide, A (2006) Access to death certificates: What should research ethics committees require for approval?. Annals of Epidemiology, 16 4: 281-284.


Author Nilstun, T
Cartwright, C
Lofmark, R
Deliens, L
Fischer, S
Miccinesi, G
Norup, M
Van Der Heide, A
Title Access to death certificates: What should research ethics committees require for approval?
Journal name Annals of Epidemiology  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2006
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.annepidem.2005.01.010
Volume number 16
Issue number 4
ISSN 1047-2797
Start page 281
End page 284
Total pages 4
Editor R. Rothenberg
Place of publication New York
Publisher Elsevier Science Inc
Collection year 2006
Language eng
Subject C1
321202 Epidemiology
730203 Health related to ageing
Abstract PURPOSE: To present and discuss the reactions of research ethics committees (RECs) in a number of countries when asked for approval Of a study requiring access to death certificates to identify the physicians signing the certificates and to send them a four-page questionnaire about medical decisions made at the patient's end-of-life that could possibly have hastened death. METHODS: A simple questionnaire were sent to the responsible national investigator in an international study (Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland) asking about the interactions between the national research group and the national/regional REC(s). RESULTS: Different laws or guidelines were used by the RECs. Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland did not require an application to a REC. In Australia and Sweden, the RECs wanted changes in the research protocol, and one national research group had to refrain from publishing its results because the attrition rate became too high, probably due to the required changes in the protocol. RECOMMENDATIONS: Generally, similar demands from all RECs in relation to one project are strongly desirable. In epidemiological research, in which Voluntary completion of an anonymous questionnaire demonstrates consent, additional prior informed consent about being approached should not be required.
Keyword Consent
Epidemiology
Ethics
Research Ethics Committee
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Q-Index Code C1

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: 2007 Higher Education Research Data Collection
Australasian Centre on Ageing Publications
 
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Created: Wed, 15 Aug 2007, 08:23:26 EST