PEI Research Ethics Board

The PEI Research Ethics Board (REB) safeguards the rights, safety and well-being of participants in all human subject research involving Health PEI and the Department of Health and Wellness and their patients, staff, resources or data. Research is reviewed to ensure that it is ethically acceptable and scientifically valid and that it follows the ethical guidelines of the Tri-Council Policy Statement "Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans" (TCPS), as well as other ethical guidelines, applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

What types of studies need to be reviewed by the REB?

Your study must be reviewed and approved by the REB if your research involves:

  • human participants;
  • biological materials, including materials from deceased individuals;
  • patients, staff, resources or data within Health PEI’s jurisdiction;
  • engaging in data collection within Health PEI’s jurisdiction that has already received ethical approval from another Research Ethics Board; and/or 
  • the secondary use of data that was originally collected from human participants for another purpose.

Quality improvement studies, performance reviews or testing within normal educational requirements are not normally required to be reviewed by the REB, unless they contain an element of research. However, if you wish to publish your study, it should be submitted to the REB for review and approval.

Review and approval by the REB must be obtained prior to the start of any research.

Please note that approval by the REB does not indicate any commitment of personnel, material resources or space of Health PEI or the Department of Health and Wellness for any proposal.

How do I know if my study is considered ‘research’ or is ‘quality improvement’?

The following table can help guide you in understanding if your study is Research or Quality Improvement:

Research Quality Improvement
The goal of the project is to test an hypothesis The goal of the project is to improve service delivery
You are using scientific methods (e.g. controls, blinding, randomization) and the outcome of the project is uncertain The project has a reasonable expectation of success
The planned procedures deviate from normal clinical care There is no change in normal clinical care
Your expect to draw generalizable conclusions The findings will be used to improve the PEI Health system patient service delivery only
You expect to publish your findings in a scientific journal Publication is not intended

The opinion of the REB should be sought whenever there is any doubt about the appropriateness of a local ethical review for any project.

What are the submission requirements?

NOTE:  The PEI Research Ethics Board is in the process of moving over to an electronic submission platform. Please contact the REB Coordinator if you have any questions regarding a submission at (902) 569-0576 or reb@ihis.org

Submissions must be complete, with all appropriate documentation as identified on the PEI Research Ethics Management System. All researchers are required to create a user account and complete the mandatory forms.  

For details on submission guidelines and the review process, including whether a study requires full board or expedited review, view the Research Ethics Board General Guidelines [PDF | 61 KB]. Proposals typically considered for expedited review include:

  • Studies involving ‘minimal risk’ to participants;
  • Extensions of previously approved proposals; and
  • New studies which involve only minor modifications to a previously approved proposal.

If you are unsure if your study requires full board review, please contact the Research Ethics office at 902-569-0576.

Note:  Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. The REB Coordinator reserves the right to defer from review by the REB any submission that is lacking information critical to the deliberations of the Board.

The guidelines and templates listed below are intended to assist researchers in preparing their submissions via the PEI Research Ethics Management System (peireb.synto.com).  The templates should be revised to fit the proposal.

To help prepare a Protocol, view the Research Protocol Guidelines [PDF | 34 KB].

It is ethically and legally necessary to explain the research study and obtain consent from any person prior to participating in a research study. To help prepare a consent form, view the Guidelines for Preparation of a Consent Form [PDF | 78 KB] and the Consent Form Template [PDF | 51 KB].

Once a study has been approved, a researcher must comply with the REB's continuing reporting requirements [PDF | 37 KB]. At a minimum, every researcher must complete an annual report and request for re-approval [PDF | 88 KB]. When a study is completed, a closure form must be submitted to the REB [PDF | 98 KB].

When can I send my proposal for review?

The REB meets once a month, if necessary. The deadline for full board submissions is approximately three weeks prior to the meeting date.

Note:  Meetings can be cancelled or changed without prior notice. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. You can submit your study if it is ready before the deadline. If you have questions, please call the REB Office at 902-569-0576.
2024 Meeting and Submission Deadline Schedule
Full Board Submission Deadline Meeting Date, Time and Location
December 28, 2023 at noon January 18, 2024
11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
January 25, 2024 at noon February 15, 2024
11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
February 29, 2024 at noon March 21, 2024
11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
March 28, 2024 at noon April 18, 2024
11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
April 23, 2024 at noon May 16, 2024
11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
May 30, 2024 at noon June 20, 2024
11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
June 27, 2024 at noon July 18, 2024
11 a.m. 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
August 29, 2024 at noon September 19, 2024
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
September 26, 2024 at noon October 17, 2024
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
October 31, 2024 at noon November 21, 2024
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location to be determined
November 28, 2023 at noon December 19, 2024
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location to be determined

Note: Studies that are eligible for expedited review can be submitted at any time.

How do I contact the PEI Research Ethics Board?

All inquiries should be directed to:

PEI Research Ethics Board
Health PEI
16 Garfield Street
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 7N8

Telephone: (902) 569-0576
Fax: (902) 368-4969
Email: reb@ihis.org
 

Published date: 
January 2, 2024
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