and Consent to research

1. Do you think this section covers the most important principles that doctors must consider when they are involved in research? Yes No Not sure If not, please say why not. UKRIO recognises that strong principles are essential to define the responsibilities and values in the conduct of research and welcomes the inclusion of this section. The content is excellent but we feel it could benefit from a few additional points. Additional paragraph – the principle of Excellence: we would welcome the addition of a requirement to strive for excellence when conducting research and to aim to produce and disseminate work of the highest quality and ethical standards. This could be inserted at the beginning of the section on Good Research Design and Practice. Paragraph two, Law and Governance (page 3): a reference to the legal and ethical requirements of research involving collaboration with research in other countries would be helpful. For example, UKRIO’s Code of Practice for Research: promoting good practice and preventing misconduct states: “When conducting, or collaborating in, research in other countries, organisations and researchers based in the UK should comply with the legal and ethical requirements existing in the UK and in the countries where the research is conducted. Similarly, organisations and researchers based abroad who participate in UK-hosted research projects should comply with the legal and ethical requirements existing in the UK as well as those of their own country. ” (para. 3.1.2, page 9). Paragraph eight (page 4) states that leaders of research teams must ensure “that all members of the team have the necessary skills, experience, training and support to carry out their research responsibilities as effectively as possible.” It would be useful to add a sentence to the effect that members of a research team have a duty to identify needs for training when they arise and report them to their manager or other appropriate person as identified by their organisation. UK Research Integrity Office – response to GMC Consultation on research & consent to researc