The experience of the research ethics committee at a public university in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The article reports the experience of the Research Ethics Committee at the State University of Montes Claros, MG, Brazil, in the period from 2000 to 2009. Desk research, case study method were employd, and the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Of 1,751 projects, 95.8% were approved. Problems in preparing the statement of informed consent were among reasons for disapproval. The health sciences area of knowledge stood out at 60.8%. The average time between submission and ethical review was 11 days. The area of knowledge influenced the average time between submission and ethical assessment (p < 0.05), but did not affect the time to approval of the research project. Conclusion: the local committee followed the standards for ethical assessment in accordance with Resolution 466/2012, in view of the fact that it rejected projects with shortcomings in the statement of informed consent, thus protecting the subjects of the research.