Conducting international research requires additional
steps for institutional review board (IRB)
approval, including translating consent forms (and
other related documents) into the local language(s). It
is important to be proactive with both the home and
host institution and allow plenty of time for
obtaining necessary signatures and approvals
because IRB approval at the home institution will
often be contingent on approval from the international
(host) IRB. Also, the host institution may not
have a traditional IRB; instead, they may have an
ethics committee or similar body that approves
research projects, and they may meet infrequently.
Approvals may be needed at multiple levels, such as
with the city medical office and the supervisors from
each of the clinical sites (S.P.). Also, in some
countries (V.L. and S.P.), government approval of th