Pervasive Healthcare IRBs and Ethics Reviews in Research: Going Beyond the Paperwork

In this piece, we unraveled the multifaceted processes of understanding and communicating risks of technology research that involves human subjects. Through focusing on the history and importance of IRB and ethics committee oversight, we highlighted the importance of going beyond our moral obligations to conduct ethical research and pointed out the practical and logistical reasons for adhering to research ethics review procedures. We urged the critical need to think proactively, rather than retroactively, of what risks we introduce to study participants, including potential physical, emotional, social, legal, and economic harms. We also examined how information flows to external entities outside of the research process need special consideration. Finally, informed consent can be reframed as a process beyond receiving signatures for formal, liability purposes. It is an opportunity to communicate risks to participants, and to put into place strategies to mitigate those risks.