Ethics in psychosocial and biomedical research: A training experience at the Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics (CIEB) of the University of Chile

Abstract

This paper reviews the experience in training Latin American professionals and scientists in the ethics of biomedical and psychosocial research at the Interdisciplinary Center for Studies in Bioethics (CIEB) of the University of Chile, aided by a grant from Fogarty International Center (FIC) – National Institutes of Health from 2002 to 2011. In these 10 years of experience, 50 trainees have completed a 12-month training combining on-line and in-person teaching and learning activities, with further support for maintaining contact via webmail and personal meetings. The network formed by faculty and former trainees has published extensively on issues relevant in the continent and has been instrumental in promoting new master level courses at different universities, drafting regulations and norms, and promoting the use of bioethical discourse in health care and research. Evaluation meetings have shown that while most trainees did benefit from the experience and contributed highly to developments at their home institutions and countries, some degree of structuring of demand for qualified personnel is needed in order to better utilize the human resources created by the program. Publications and other deliverables of trainees and faculty are presented.

Research ethics training of trainers: developing capacity of bolivian health science and civil society leaders

“…(19). These principles are consistent with the comments highlighted by TOT participants as positive aspects of the face-to-face training that incorporated significant participation of trainees through group work.…”

“…Lolas and Rodriquez (2012) present an in depth discussion of the rationale for the importance of RE training in Latin America. They recommend a combination of face-to-face and online learning "within the same cultural community" in consideration for the local/regional nature of ethical considerations related to research (19). They also emphasize the importance of addressing the widening disparity in research resources including financial and educational support for research and RE by providing high quality, culturally appropriate RE training programs within the context of particular countries and regions (19).…”

“…They recommend a combination of face-to-face and online learning "within the same cultural community" in consideration for the local/regional nature of ethical considerations related to research (19). They also emphasize the importance of addressing the widening disparity in research resources including financial and educational support for research and RE by providing high quality, culturally appropriate RE training programs within the context of particular countries and regions (19). A central aim of the Bolivian RE TOT program was to support teams of Bolivian academics, researchers and community leaders who could work collaboratively to develop specific RE programs in Bolivia.…”

Evaluación ética de proyectos de investigación financiados por la Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Chile 2012

“…Desafortunadamente, tal y como lo refieren Lolas et al 2012 (16) en una publicación reciente, en América Latina el cumplimiento de los requisitos éticos en la investigación que se realiza en seres humanos, muchas veces se lleva a cabo más por la presión que ejercen las agencias internacionales que financian la investigación, que por una necesidad sentida de la comunidad científica local. Se hace necesario entonces una reflexión en torno a lo propuesto por Bota et al, 2004, quien plantea que se requiere de un cambio en el paradigma actual, un cambio conceptual y de objetivos, esto es, ir de una cultura de la adherencia a una cultura de conciencia.…”

Aspectos cualitativos del aprendizaje en el Programa de Ética de la Investigación Biomédica y Psicosocial del Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios en Bioética de la Universidad de Chile

“…El Programa Internacional de Ética de la Investigación Biomédica y Psicosocial del Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios en Bioética de la Universidad de Chile, Fogarty Grant R25TW6056, por el que han pasado 50 profesionales(1), cuenta con 10 años de experiencia en el entrenamiento de profesionales de países latinoamericanos. El programa capacita para asumir un liderazgo activo en la enseñanza, evaluación, diseño y conducción de investigaciones éticamente sustentables, colaborar en normativas y regulaciones de ética de la investigación, así como para participar en comités de evaluación ética de la investigación científica, con el compromiso de apoyar y crear estos campos dentro de su institución, retribuyendo en servicios lo que se recibe en formación.…”