국내 Single IRB 현황 및 도입에 대한 설문조사 연구

A Survey on Current Status and Introduction of Single Institutional Review Board (IRB) in Korea

Purpose: Clinical studies require institutional review board (IRB) approval based on the ethical principle and regulations. While the number of clinical studies has been increased and diversified, duplicated IRB review for multi-center studies has become a major issue. Therefore, single IRB system has been suggested in revised Common Rule. This study aimed to identify and assess the current status of single IRB in Korea and the anticipated needs of single IRB from researchers and IRB member or administrators. Methods: We developed 14 questions including perceived advantages and disadvantages of single IRB, and anticipated problems. The online survey collected opinions on single IRB from researchers, IRB members and IRB administrators. We also interviewed five IRB administrators who have an experience of single IRB. Results: A total of 80 responses were analyzed in this study. Although efficiencies were suggested for the advantages of single IRB in terms of reducing burden of duplicated review, respondents also perceived that the different review criteria between single IRB and each IRB would be a major hurdle for adopting single IRB system. Therefore, the standardization of standard of procedures (SOP) and the standardization of IRB submission materials should be preceded. According to the small group experiences of single IRB in Korea, we also observed the similar anticipated problems of single IRB. Conclusion: Single IRB system has many advantages for conducting multi-center trial. However, many specialists still have a lot of concerns about introducing a single IRB system in Korea. Therefore, a gradual, step-by-step process for conducting a single IRB system in Korea will be needed. Many studies for improving currently suggested single IRB system and the improvement of awareness about the essential of single IRB system would be needed.