Research ethics committees at work: the experience of one multi-location study.
OBJECTIVE
To report the outcome of applications to 43 research ethics committees.


METHODS
Four regional health authorities in England.


RESULTS
The research ethics committees varied considerably in their practices. The time lapse until notification of the outcome of the approval ranged from just under one week to 23 weeks with a mean of 8.6 weeks. Four research ethics committees failed to notify the research team of an outcome of their request for approval.


CONCLUSIONS
A national research ethics committee is needed to review national and multi-location research studies in the light of the fragmented and variable practice of local research ethics committees.
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Department of Nursing Studies, King's College, London.
D035841:Behavioral Research; D004739:England; D026724:Ethical Review; D017041:Ethics Committees / Q000592:standards*; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011996:Records; D012106:Research / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors