title: Varying ethics rules in clinical research and routine patient care--research ethics committee chairpersons' views in Finland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To present empirical data on how the variation in regulating clinical research and patient care was perceived in Finland between 2009 and 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Notes of interviews with 22 research ethics committee (REC) chairpersons were analyzed to identify whether differences in the regulation of clinical research and patient care were addressed. REC chairpersons' opinions on three imaginary cases of clinical research projects challenging current research ethics rules (vignettes) were requested with a questionnaire; 18 of the 22 interviewed chairpersons responded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on REC chairpersons' interviews, the differences between care and research regulation were not considered important issues in Finland. In the vignettes, REC chairpersons' assumptions on how their REC would decide varied in regard to allowing research without informed consent, while solutions that are not allowed by current law were even anticipated. Mostly, but not always, the chairpersons' own personal view agreed with their REC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distinction between care and research regulation has not been publicly challenged by Finnish RECs, even though it is a challenge when research relevant to health care is carried out. There is a need for debate and changes in laws and practices.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health and Welfare, P,O, Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. elina.hemminki@thl.fi.
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hemminki
authors.forename: Jorma I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Virtanen
authors.forename: Piret
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veerus
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D032984:Ethics, Research; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005791:Patient Care / Q000941:ethics*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence