Accountability in Clinical Research: Balancing Risk and Benefit

A National Conference at the Indiana University School of Medicine

INDIANAPOLIS - Human participation in research has surged in recent years as scientists seek causes and cures of myriad diseases. Accompanying the increase too has been greater public concern for patient safety and scrutiny of complex ethical, legal and regulatory issues.

Such issues will be tackled April 24-26 by Indiana University School of Medicine physicians and researchers and other prominent scientists at a national forum at the University Place Conference Center on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus. Accountability in Clinical Research: Balancing Risk and Benefit, sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation, will examine the management, conduct, funding and accountability of research involving human subjects.

Sharon M. Moe, M.D., IU School of Medicine's assistant dean for research support, will lead talks in a session about the role of oversight in assuring patient safety in clinical research. Eric M. Meslin, Ph.D., director of the IU Center for Bioethics, takes the lead in discussing the quality and content of information supplied to research patients about their roles and risks Media interest in biomedical research also has sharply increased, often focusing on controversial incidents involving health outcomes of patients. David W. Crabb, M.D., chairman of the School's Department of Medicine, and members of Indianapolis' news media will discuss and analyze real and hypothetical situations and responses to media coverage.

"This conference opens the door to continued dialogue about patient safety issues in clinical research settings," says Carol A. Ley, M.D., Ph.D., chair of NPSF's board of directors.

"The insight and experiences shared at this conference will be invaluable to health-care professionals, researchers, consumers and government entities - all essential in moving patient safety messages to a new level."

Today's health care consumers, payers, providers and professionals recognize the significant impact that errors and patient harm have on patients, family members and staff safety.

These and related issues will be probed April 22-24, at the NPSF Annenberg IV Conference, Patient Safety: Let's Get Practical.

Contacts:
Carrie F. Hennessy
National Patient Safety Foundation
312-464-4896
[email protected]

Joe Stuteville
Indiana University
317-274-7722
[email protected]