Q & A
The application form and detailed instructions can be downloaded from the Applications/Forms section and forwarded to the address in the Contact REB section.
When can I expect my protocol to be reviewed?
Expedited reviews can take approximately three to four weeks. For full board reviews, you will get a response back from the REB approximately 1 week after the monthly meeting. You must submit the protocol two weeks prior to the REB meeting.
Who should I contact if I want to know the status of my protocol application?
You may contact the REB office by phone at 416-586-4875 (Bibi Hack) or by email: Kathleen Austin, Tatiana Santini, or Nushrat Sultana.
What is meant by expedited review?
Some studies may be considered for expedited review. This applies to research which is considered either minimal risk and non-invasive (e.g. retrospective chart reviews, questionnaires or surveys, non-invasive assessments, use of tissue), or studies involving only current standards of care, or studies which have had prior approval from a recognized Research Ethics Board.
If a study has received prior scientific or ethical review (by other UofT affiliated REB's), include a copy of the approval letter, approved consent form and all relevant reviewer and Research Ethics Board’s correspondence. Studies that have been reviewed by other Research Ethics Boards (UofT affiliated REB's only) are NOT considered for expedited review unless the relevant documentation is provided. If the Research Ethics Board determines.
What documents must be submitted with the application form?
A list of required documents can be found on the instruction sheets which are attached to the application forms. You can download these in the Applications/Forms section.
Do I submit my application to Mount Sinai REB or UofT ethics committee?
If the principal investigator is conducting the study at Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) using MSH patients, the proposal must be submitted to the MSH REB. If the study involves another teaching hospital affiliated with UofT, then approval from that other site must also be sought.
What if I have approval from another hospital REB (UofT affiliated REB's only) or UofT ethics committee?
You must still submit an application to the MSH REB, however, a discussion with the Research Ethics Board prior to submission is encouraged because these studies may be considered for expedited review.
As some of the Departments at MSH are joint departments with UHN, is there a special relationship with UHN?
Yes. MSH and UHN use the same review procedure, application form and tracking procedures making expediting the review process easier between the two hospitals. Each hospital and REB, however, are independent and assume responsibility for their own patients.
If I intend to conduct the study at UHN as well as MSH, what should I do?
If the study is to be carried out at UHN as well as MSH and you have received approval from MSH, submit the protocol and MSH correspondence to UHN so that it can be considered for expedited approval. If UHN has already approved the protocol, submit the protocol and all UHN correspondence to MSH.
Can we contact patients deemed suitable for a study?
The position taken by our REB is that we do not allow researchers to simply contact potential participants with whom they have had no prior, relevant, clinical relationship. The reasons for this are issues of confidentiality and the protection of privacy, and, in some instances, the prevention of potential, unnecessary psychological harm to very vulnerable groups.
If you have any other questions about the Research Ethics Board, please email: Kathleen Austin, Tatiana Santini, or Nushrat Sultana.
