Research Ethics and Approvals

Approval to Conduct Research

In order to conduct research at Island Health, Principal Investigators must obtain:

QI/QA and Program Evaluation Projects

Although Quality Improvement (QI) and Quality Assurance (QA) projects do not undergo a formal review by a research ethics board, they still require appropriate organizational oversight. If you are unsure if your project would be considered QI or Research, please consider completing the ARECCI tool created by Island Health.

Please note: You must be logged into the Island Health network to access this tool.

If you are considering conducting a QI project within Island Health, please complete the QI Registry. 

Students, Faculty, and BC Ethics Harmonization

Researchers who must obtain multiple ethical clearances from separate BC research ethics boards (such as UVic, UBC, BC Cancer Agency, or another Health Authority) can start by completing this Harmonized Ethics Checklist (.doc) and emailing our office at researchethics@viha.ca.  We will then ensure the right people are involved for an efficient ethical review of your study across the various institutions that may be involved.

All new research ethics projects involving University of Victoria and Island Health need to start with the completion of the Harmonized Ethics Checklist (.doc)

Additional approvals for regulated sponsored clinical trials:

1. Clinical Trial Agreement between Island Health, Principal Investigator, and Sponsor

2. Health Canada Letter of No Objection (NOL)

3. Clinical Trial Registration number with a non-profit clinical trials registry, e.g. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/

Additional approvals for grant-funded studies:

1. Grant Contribution Agreement

Additional approvals for external affiliated researchers:

1. Research Affiliation/Collaboration Agreement (inter-institutional)

2. Study Specific Researcher Affiliation Agreement

UBC Family Practice Resident Research, Dietetic Interns, Pharmacy Residents and Summer Medical Students Research Projects

UBC Family Practice Resident Research, UBC Dietetic Interns, UBC Pharmacy Residents and UBC Summer Medical Students Research Projects need to apply ONLY to Island Health for their projects.

Refer to this  UBC Guidance Note (PDF) for more information.

Please submit your application to Island Health Research Ethics using the Research Portal and ensure you notify UBC in accordance with the UBC guidance document.

 

Contacts

Research Ethics and Compliance Office 
Queen Alexandra Centre
Main Building, Room 205
2400 Arbutus Rd
Victoria, B.C.
V8N 1V7

250-519-6726
researchethics@viha.ca 

Health Research 

Kimberly Horie
250-519-6726 (internal 36726)
Kimberly.Horie@viha.ca

Dawn Pollon
250-519-5300 ext. 36212
dawn.pollon@viha.ca 

Clinical Research 
Joy (Joey) Pearson 
250-519-5300 ext. 36210
joy.pearson@viha.ca

Karen Medler
250-519-5300 ext. 36207
karen.medler@viha.ca

Operational or Institutional Approval

Kimberly Horie
250-519-6726 (internal 36726)
Kimberly.Horie@viha.ca

Manager

Terri Fleming
250-519-6706 (internal 36706)
terri.fleming@viha.ca

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