042: BUILDING CAPACITY IN RESEARCH ETHICS: CHANGING THE WAY WE TEACH AND LEARN RESEARCH ETHICS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Background Findings from several studies (Kirigia et al ., 2005; Milford et al ., 2006) indicate a need for increased and ongoing research ethics training for African REC members. Research Ethics Capacity Building (RESCAP)-Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is a minor component of a training grant awarded to UKZN by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Fogarty International Centre (FIC). The aim of RESCAP is to build and strengthen research ethics capacity at UKZN and improve our national capacity. Objectives The aim of MEPI is to e nhance UKZN medical training and research capacity at UKZN and the province while the aim of RESCAP is to develop and improve institutional research ethics capacity at UKZN, provincially and nationally. Methods The MEPI- RESCAP portfolio has been in operation from 2011. RESCAP consists of 5 elements and each element aims to provide research ethics training in various ways. There is advanced modular training in health research ethics through the South African Research Ethics Training (SARETI) programme, specialised South African online ethics module for research teams and RECs/IRBs, Research Ethics Fellowships, NIH grant writing and management workshops and lastly, RESCAP Internships. Result From 2011 we have sponsored and subquently trained 138 students. This presentation will highlight the usefulness of the training initiatives. Conclusion The specialised South African online ethics module is live on the training and resources in research ethics evaluation (TRREE http://elearning.trree.org/), we have trained sixteen UKZN staff & students through the SARETI programme, forty-five research administrators have received training on NIH Grant Management and five fellows have received research ethics fellowships. One post-graduate student is serving her internship as RESCAP project manager/administrator.