posted 03-09-2001 07:57 AM         

Essential for Those who Fund, Approve, Conduct, or Collaborate on Health Research

Ethical Issues in International Health Research

June 11 15, 2001
Boston, Massachusetts

Program Directors:

Richard A. Cash, MD, MPH
Director, Program on Ethical Issues in International Health Research
Lecturer, Harvard School of Public Health

Michael L. Bennish, MD
Director, Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies
Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine

Overview
As more research is conducted in developing countries, ethical issues that reflect differences in cultures, politics, wealth, standards of care, individual and group rights, and priorities are surfacing with increasing frequency. The present ethical codes are not always sufficient for the broad new set of problems faced by funders of international health research, members of Ethical Review Boards, government agencies, and researchers themselves.

Why You Should Attend
To address current issues, anticipate potential future problems, and facilitate productive communication, this interactive program draws on the combined talents of leaders in the field. Participants from both developing and industrialized countries have an opportunity to compare experiences, receive expert advice, and voice their concerns in five days of lectures, case studies, and panel discussions. Recognizing that current guidelines are both subject to interpretation and likely to create conflict, the program encourages candid comments, questions, and open critique of available materials.

What You Will Learn
- Current standard guidelines for international health research
- Approaches to controversial issues, such as individual versus group rights, and standards of care
- Ethical issues concerning conflicts of interest and confidentiality
- Responsibilities of the investigator, including plagiarism and who owns ideas and specimens
- The role of medical journals, the press, and others in maintaining ethical standards

Who Should Attend
Ethical Issues in International Health Research is intended for individuals involved in all areas of international health research, including medicine, anthropology, epidemiology, education, journalism, political science and law; government, foundations, and industry officials with funding responsibilities; and members of institutional and governmental review boards.

Key Topics
• Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving Human Subjects (Declaration of Helsinki and CIOMS guidelines, NIH)
• Research in Resource Poor Environments
• Cultural Absolutism vs. Cultural Relativism
• Informed Consent
• Confidentiality
• Conflict of Interest
• Standards of Care
• Responsibility of Researchers to the Community
• Issues in Genetic Research
• Research in Refugee Populations

For an example of the cases offered, please check www.hsph.harvard.edu/bioethics

Faculty Will Include
Richard A. Cash, MD, MPH, Director, Program on Ethical Issues in International Health Research, Lecturer, Harvard School of Public Health

Allan Brandt, MD, Amalie Moses Kass Professor of the History of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Professor, Department of the History of Science at Harvard University

Ezekiel Emanuel, Chief, Department of Clinical Bioethics, Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health

Holly Gieszel, Esq., Health Care Attorney, Kimerer and LaValle

Jennifer Leaning, MD, SMH, Professor of International Health, Department of Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health; Director, Program on Humanitarian Crises and Human Rights, Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights; Director, Human Security Program, Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies

Adetokunbo Lucas, Former Director, Special Programme on Tropical Disease Research, World Health Organization; Adjunct Professor of International Health, Department of Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health

Patricia Marshall, Associate Director and Associate Professor, Medical Humanities Program, Loyola University of Chicago

"This was an outstanding course which was worth the time, work, and cost in every way. The organization of the course was superb and allowed us to get full benefit from every moment. The spectrum from the theoretical and philosophical to the practical and real life was fully represented - breadth and depth."

Anne Willoughby
Branch Chief
NIH

Center for Continuing Professional Education
Where theory informs practice and practice informs theory®

Register at www.hsph.harvard.edu/ccpe/register.html

"The program was excellent and exceeded the expectations that I had. I shall use what I learned here to improve the ethical review process in my country."
Kamal Gyawali
Member Secretary , Nepal Health Research Council

Scholarship Assistance
The Harvard School of Public Health may be able to obtain tuition assistance for individuals who would not be able to attend without outside support. Please complete the program registration form and include a letter stating the need for assistance.

Program Fee
Course fee of $1,650 includes:
• Continuing education credit up to 32 CEUs
• Daily continental breakfasts, breaks, and lunches
• Two special functions
• Comprehensive reference manual to take home
• Harvard certificate of attendance

"This was an excellent opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with researchers and decision makers from around the world. I recommend it to conscientious individuals who are responsible for international research and oversight."
Miriam Laufer, MD
Pediatric Resident
Columbia University

Co-sponsored by:
- Tufts University School of Medicine
- University of Natal School of Medicine
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology
- The National Institutes of Health