Research ethics committees in Brazil: a study with coordinators

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the Research Ethics Committees in their profile and operationalization. An electronic questionnaire was sent to the 645 existing committees at the time and answered by 129 coordinators. The answers were categorized by frequency and mean of the answers and passed by a statistical test. The results indicated that most of the coordinators had a degree in Biological and Health Sciences, at Masters and PhD levels. The committees had been operating for more than nine years in higher education institutions, with insufficient institutional support. Members were empowered by readings of the Committee’s regulations and guidelines. The distribution of protocols was done by subject affinity and the group decision was given by consensus or vote. It is concluded that the committees are consolidated, comply with ethical regulations, but they need to dialogue more with researchers and with the National Commission of Ethics in Research.