Research and innovation in healthcare take place within a complex national and international regulatory framework. Our services assist researchers, healthcare professionals and partners in correctly interpreting these regulations and in preparing the necessary documentation. Formal approvals are granted by accredited ethics committees that oversee the ethical, safe and responsible conduct of research.
The services listed below will support you every step of the way:
Medical Ethics Committee (CME)
Oversees and advises on the ethical aspects of hospital care at UZ Gent. It also provides guidance on all research proposals involving human participants or human (including reproductive) biological material to ensure that clinical studies comply with ethical standards and regulations.
Advises on the secondary use of patient data obtained through routine care or clinical studies at UZ Gent. It ensures that the data is used ethically with respect for patients’ privacy and that appropriate procedures are in place for patient information, consent and pseudonymization or anonymization.
Health, Innovation, and Research Institute UZ Gent (HIRUZ)
Provides support with ethical dossiers, contract negotiations, clinical trial coordination, data management, quality management, innovation and valorization, and patient participation via the advisory board PAWO.
Supports interdisciplinary research and education in the fields of health law, privacy and medical ethics. It assists patients, healthcare providers, policymakers and other stakeholders in dealing with medical innovations, the management of health data and emerging technologies such as precision medicine, artificial intelligence and electronic patient records.
Patient Advisory Board for Scientific Research (PAWO)
Comprises (former) patients who, based on their experience, provide advice on clinical research.
Oversees the protection of the personal data of patients, students and staff, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).