Identifying structures, processes, resources and needs of research ethics committees in Egypt

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Public Health Research
• Global Health Governance

Background:

• Limited data exist on Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in the Middle East.
• Concerns persist regarding the adequacy of ethics review systems in developing nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey Egyptian RECs to understand their functioning, resource needs, and challenges.
• To assess the operational status of RECs in Egypt.

Main Methods:

• A self-administered survey was distributed to Egyptian RECs.
• Data collected on REC characteristics, membership, training, workload, review processes, challenges, and resources.
• Basic descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Main Results:

• 67% of identified RECs responded; most have SOPs and conflict of interest policies.
• REC membership averaged 10.3, predominantly physicians (69.5%), with limited lay representation (13.7%).
• Nearly all members received some ethics training; however, RECs lack formal budgets and national guidelines, facing challenges in ongoing training and resources.

Conclusions:

• Egyptian RECs demonstrate strengths in meeting frequency, prior member training, and written policies.
• Areas for improvement include diversifying membership, increasing financial resources, and enhancing administrative support.
• Recommendations include incorporating community members and establishing continuing education programs for REC members.