How to Obtain Institutional Review Board

(IRB) Approval

Richard WagnerAssociate Director

UCSF Human Research Protection ProgramAugust 14, 2008

August 14, 2008 2

Topics to be covered

What the IRB is looking for

Tips for obtaining IRB approval

Types of review/application required

August 14, 2008 3

UCSF Acronyms of Relevance

IRB = Institutional Review Board (generic)

CHR = Committee on Human Research—the IRB for UCSF, SFGH, VAMC, SFDPH . . .

HRPP = Human Research Protection Program

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Addressing Human Research Protection Issues

NIH Application Essay-like discussion

CHR Application Multiple detailed check boxes and

questions Embedded guidance Application supplements for specific

issues (Prisoners, surrogate consent, waiver of consent for some types of study)

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Determinations the IRB Must Make (1)

Risks to subjects are minimized Procedures are consistent with sound design and do

not unnecessarily expose subjects to risk Study utilizes procedures already performed for

diagnosis/treatment Risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to

anticipated benefits, if any, and to the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result from the study

Selection of subjects is equitable Inclusion/exclusion criteria are adequate Research purpose and setting is appropriate Recruitment process is fair

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Determinations the IRB Must Make (2)

Informed consent will be sought in accordance with regulations

Informed consent will be documented in accordance with regulations

Provisions for monitoring collected data are adequate to ensure the safety of subjects

Provisions to protect privacy of subjects are adequate

Provisions to maintain confidentiality of data are adequate

Vulnerable populations are adequately protected by additional safeguards

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Determinations the IRB Must Make (3)

More complete list of determinations has 74 items.

The study cannot be approved unless the CHR determines the study meets the above criteria.

If substantive clarifications or modifications are needed before the application can satisfy the criteria, the study must be returned to the committee for additional review

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Tips for Success: #1 Sound Science *

Scientific review or scholarly review, by peers or a mentor, should occur before submitting to the CHR.

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#2 Level of Review/Type of Application *

Level of review and type of application are determined by level of risk.

Full Committee more than minimal risk, including social

risks Expedited

minimal risk, specific categories subject contact—yes or no

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Determine the Level of Review (continued)

Exempt Minimal risk, specific categories,

usually no identifiers recordedYou must have formal certification of exemption from CHR!

No Human Subjects Research does not meet definition of

human research No identifiers seen

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Determining Level of Review: Is IRB Approval Needed?

See decision tree on CHR website:http://www.research.ucsf.edu/chr/Guide/HSDecisTree.pdf

In general, for specimens and data if the researcher: does not access identifiers: no human

subjects does not record identifiers: may be exempt records identifiers: expedited review

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#3 Current Forms, Supplements and Consent Templates *

Full Committee ApplicationExpedited–Subject ContactExpedited—No Subject ContactExemptSupplements Human Biological Specimen Collection and/or Banking Human Gene Transfer Human Stem Cell Investigational Drugs Investigational Devices Inclusion of Minors Inclusion of Prisoners Surrogate Consent Waiver of ConsentBiomedical ConsentBiomedical Cancer ConsentSocial or BehavioralSimple Blood DrawAssent

Download the most current CHR Application Forms from the HRPP website.

Check to see which Application Supplements are needed.

Use and follow the most current consent and assent templates.

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#4 The Audience *

Not all IRB members are scientists.

The scientists are your peers, but may not know your field.

Spell out acronyms at first use. Write consent form at 8th grade

reading level. Use lay language in consents

forms and study summary.

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#5 Consistency *

Make sure that All sections within the CHR application are consistent

with each other (i.e., purpose, benefits, alternatives) All sections within the consent form are consistent. CHR application matches the group or sponsor

protocol. Protocol and consent form are consistent.

Use the same name for the subjects groups throughout submission.

Use the same name for the study drugs throughout the submission.

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#6 Important Explanations

Explain what happens to subjects in study that is different than those who do not participate.

Distinguish procedures being performed purely for research from standard of care.

Describe procedures in chronological order. Describe each study group clearly. Describe how risks will be minimized and

managed. Discuss Data Safety Monitoring Plan, and

Data Safety Monitoring Board if required.

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Provide a detailed discussion of the who, what, when, where and how of recruitment and consent.

Submit copies of all recruitment materials and consent documents, including scripts and text of ads.

Consider and address special populations: Children and minors Cognitively impaired Those who do not read, speak or understand English

Justify any alterations of consent Waiver of signed consent Waiver of consent

#7 Recruitment and Consent

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#8 Cover Letter *

Use a cover letter to Explain and highlight any difficult

or sensitive issues. Inform the CHR if you have special

time constraints.

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#9 Final Review *

Do one last review before submitting.

If you are not the PI, make sure the study PI has read the application and consent documents before he or she signs the application.

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#10 Ask Questions Along the Way *

Ask your mentor Ask the CHR:

Main Line: 476-1814 Analyst of the Day: 476-1814 http://

www.research.ucsf.edu/chr/ chr@ucsf.edu

Research Online: https://www.researchonline.ucsf.edu/To check status of applications and for online training

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Bonus Tip: Don’t Overload *

Do not group related studies into a complicated application.

Get separate CHR approval for each discrete study.

You may have several CHR approvals for a single grant.