Abstract

Ethical considerations are the chief concerns in medical research. Present study assesses the knowledge, awareness and attitude of research ethics among medical faculty in a government teaching hospital in India. A self-administered pre-tested structured and validated questionnaire based on ICMR ethical guidelines was made available to all consenting participants. A total of 30 faculty members were enrolled in the survey Descriptive statistics were applied for data analysis. Faculty was aware of the guidelines, 83% participants having read the ICMR guidelines. Except for one, all faculty members were aware of an Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC). 73.3% had the opportunity of being a part of research projects. 96.6% of participants responded correctly to questions on Informed consent, 60% to question on research involving children, while 96% responded correctly to questions on ‘Confidentiality’. Less than 60 % are aware about the details of IEC. 57% had knowledge of functions and roles of a research ethics committee. 42% were aware of the composition of IEC. Only 39 % were familiar with proposal submission and review process by the IEC. Regarding the attitudes of faculty about research ethics all participants agreed that there is a need for an IEC in each institution and the members constituting the IEC should receive training in bioethics. All participants were of the view that research ethics should be taught mandatorily in medical curricula. 100% believed that all investigators should also have necessary training in research ethics. The attitude of all faculty members was favourable towards research ethics. All faculty felt the need for further education on research ethics

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