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TFF4207 - Medical Research Ethics in Developing Countries

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 outcomes

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

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/

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

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.

Teaching takes place throughout the semester.

Exam information

Term paper (essay) of maximum 4000 words.

Language of examination

English or Norwegian

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Other information

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

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