TFF4207 – Medical Research Ethics in Developing Countries
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course introduces the norms guiding medical and health care research applied to implementation of research projects in developing countries. It discusses also controversial questions of maintaining ethical standards and “standard of care”, respect for human rights, justice, exploitation and how to provide safeguards for patients and informants.
The course has been developed in cooperation between The Faculties of Medicine and of Theology at the University of Oslo and The National Committee for Medical Research Ethics (www.etikkom.no ). It received support from the Ethics Programme to develop the teaching modules. Dr Ahmed Bedru Omer from The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was given a scholarship to adapt and finalize the course to the context of developing countries.
The course content is authored by Dr. Ahmed Bedru Omer and Prof. Knut Ruyter.
Learning outcome
Upon completion of this course, the participant would:
- understand the central events of the development of health research ethics that influenced the ethical standards to protect research participants
- know the main international guidelines
- know the ethical principles and be able to interpret and use them in research practice
- know the responsibility of a researcher when involving human subjects
- be attentive to how to include vulnerable groups in research
- be able to discuss ethical concerns when doing research in a developing country
- understand ways to protect human participants during the implementation of a study
- know what is needed to gain approval from an ethical review board
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Target groups
The course has been designed especially for master students within international health who plan to implement research projects in their home country.
However, the course is also relevant for master students from approximate fields, such as anthropology, pharmacy, social science etc. It should also be relevant for sponsors and administrators of research in developing countries.
The course is also open for master students from other universities in Norway and from foreign institutions.
For assistance concerning admission please contact Brynjulv Norheim, ph +47 22 85 03 67 or Vibeke Christie ph +47 22 85 06 43
Continuing education
If you desire to follow the course without taking student credits or as part of an continuing education course please go to the webpage: www.tf.uio.no/evu/medicalethics/
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Bachelor degree, or equivalent.
Teaching
The course is based on the internet on a platform called Fronter. It makes it possible to attend the course regardless of domicile, as long as the student has access to internet.
The course is based on “lessons” presented in Fronter, with reading assistance, cases, links, tasks, reference to curriculum and recommendations for further reading.
The course establishes a classroom in Fronter in which there will be required tasks to fulfill during the semester.
The course offers supervision of exchange between students as well as of exam preparation.
The course offers voluntary seminars for the participants, held at the University of Oslo. The first seminar (2-3 hrs) will introduce the students to necessary skills to use Fronter. The second seminar (full day) will be a seminar on ethical issues related to projects. Depending on students it will also be possible to establish local groups in other places.
Examination
Term paper (essay) of maximum 4000 words.
Language of examination
English or Norwegian
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Other
Responsible for the course:
Professor, dr. philos. Knut W. Ruyter
Professor, dr. med. Gunnar A. Bjune
Professor, dr. philos Jan H. Solbakk
Section for Continuing Education (AKS), The Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
Section for International Health, The Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo
Section for Medical Ethics, The Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo