Nurses' knowledge of research ethics committees: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research Ethics
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Human Rights in Research

Background:

• Nurses are central to healthcare delivery and nursing research.
• Ethical knowledge is crucial for maintaining scientific integrity and respecting human rights.
• Understanding Research Ethics Committees (REC) is vital for ethical research conduct.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nurses' knowledge of Research Ethics Committees (REC).
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing nurses' access to and engagement with RECs.
• To inform strategies for enhancing nurses' participation in ethical research.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 224 nurses from two Spanish hospitals.
• An ad hoc questionnaire assessed knowledge of REC definition, functions, composition, and informed consent procedures.
• Statistical analysis explored associations between research experience and knowledge levels, and compared barriers/facilitators between hospitals.

Main Results:

• Over 67% of nurses understood REC definition and functions, but only 45.5% knew about the requirement for a lay member.
• Knowledge of informed consent procedures was adequate in 55.8%, with varying awareness for specific populations (minors, image-based research).
• Lack of training was the primary barrier, significantly higher in Hospital B and among nurses without prior research experience; Research Support Units were key facilitators.

Conclusions:

• Nurses possess adequate foundational knowledge of RECs but exhibit gaps in understanding committee composition and informed consent nuances, especially for vulnerable groups.
• Targeted training and improved accessibility of RECs are necessary to reduce barriers and foster greater nurse involvement in research.
• Strengthening Research Support Units and implementing dissemination strategies can enhance ethical research engagement among nurses.