Research Insights
Full Board Human Subjects Protocols to be Externally Reviewed
Beginning in January, the review of human subjects protocols that typically require review by the convened UGA IRB (Full Board) will be delegated to Western IRB (WIRB), a commercial IRB.
Beginning in January, the review of human subjects protocols that typically require review by the convened UGA IRB (Full Board) will be delegated to Western IRB (WIRB), a commercial IRB. This review arrangement is temporary and will last for the next four to six months.
Very few studies will be affected by this change since only about 3 percent of IRB protocols require Full Board review.
The OVPR has engaged WIRB review services to allow the IRB to advance major initiatives that will strengthen the University’s human subjects protections program. These initiatives include enhancing the e-Research Portal for IRB, training two new employees, developing policies and procedures, and taking definitive steps to achieve accreditation of the human subjects protection program. Since Full Board reviews are lengthy, rigorous and time-consuming, this review arrangement will enable the IRB to focus on these initiatives and, more importantly, ensure the review of the majority of the submissions is done expeditiously.
Please contact the Human Subjects Office at irb@uga.edu or 706.542.3199 for questions or WIRB submission details.