What is the main function of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

What is the main function of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

• A. To manage hospital business practices
• B. To oversee clinical trials and research ethics
• C. To evaluate patient safety reports
• D. To establish health policy guidelines

Answer: (B)

The main function of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) revolves around the oversight of clinical trials and the ethical considerations associated with research involving human subjects. The IRB plays a critical role in ensuring that any research conducted is compliant with ethical standards, federal regulations, and institutional policies. It evaluates the proposed research protocols, assesses potential risks to participants, ensures informed consent is obtained, and promotes the welfare of the individuals involved in the study. This oversight is essential as it not only safeguards the rights and well-being of participants but also helps to maintain public trust in the research process. By ensuring that research practices are ethical, the IRB contributes to the integrity of scientific findings and the advancement of medical knowledge. In contrast, other options pertain to different functions. Managing hospital business practices typically falls under administration and operational management, while evaluating patient safety reports is generally the domain of clinical quality or risk management teams, and establishing health policy guidelines is more aligned with health administration or policy-making bodies. Each has its distinct focus, but the IRB's primary function is firmly rooted in the ethical conduct of research.

The main function of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) revolves around the oversight of clinical trials and the ethical considerations associated with research involving human subjects. The IRB plays a critical role in ensuring that any research conducted is compliant with ethical standards, federal regulations, and institutional policies. It evaluates the proposed research protocols, assesses potential risks to participants, ensures informed consent is obtained, and promotes the welfare of the individuals involved in the study.

This oversight is essential as it not only safeguards the rights and well-being of participants but also helps to maintain public trust in the research process. By ensuring that research practices are ethical, the IRB contributes to the integrity of scientific findings and the advancement of medical knowledge.

In contrast, other options pertain to different functions. Managing hospital business practices typically falls under administration and operational management, while evaluating patient safety reports is generally the domain of clinical quality or risk management teams, and establishing health policy guidelines is more aligned with health administration or policy-making bodies. Each has its distinct focus, but the IRB's primary function is firmly rooted in the ethical conduct of research.