Abstract
The recent increase in research in the Middle East has been associated with the establishment of research ethics committees (RECs). Our aim was to obtain perspectives of RECs regarding the challenges that impede their effective functioning. We conducted in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. We transcribed and analyzed the interviews to uncover major themes and subthemes. We identified the following themes: Membership composition; Revised training needs of members; Revised availability of human and capital resources; Revised role of the national government; Revised concerns with the informed consent process; Revised government scrutiny of research; Revised investigator-related issues; Revised and concerns with transfer of biological samples to other countries. Our interview study revealed several barriers that need to be considered by appropriate stakeholders to enhance adequate functioning of RECs.
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