STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON TRAINING PROGRAMS

1. STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON TRAINING PROGRAMS Joanna Rozynska GSSR, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology Polish Academy of Science 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

2. E-education Advanced Certificate Program in Research Ethics in Central and Eastern Europe • Union Graduate College Bioethics Program (Schenectady, New York) • Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York) • Department of Medical History and Ethics of Vilnius University The program is supported by NIH Research Grantfunded by the Fogarty International Center, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

3. Program Co-Directors • Eugenijus Gefenas, MD, Ph.D., ChairDepartment of Medical History and Ethics, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania • Martin Strosberg, Ph.D.Professor of Bioethics, Union GraduateCollege, Bioethics ProgramsSchenectady, NY 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

4. Cohort 1, 2005/2006 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

5. Program Objectives • to provide students with knowledge and skills in research ethics and international bioethics that will allow them to function as independent research ethicists in their home countries • to prepare students to facilitate institutional change in the field of research ethics • to build the CEE (in-)formal network of research ethicists • to promote research ethics in CEE countries 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

6. Students The Program is addressed to individuals from CEE countries „administering, conducting or teaching research methods or research ethics”, including: philosophers, ethicists, bioethicists, biomedical scientists, physicians, nurses, researchers and social scientists ethics committee members, lawyers, managers, public policy makers. 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

7. General Structure The Program consists of 7 courses: • 3 on-site courses (5-6 days each) held at Vilnius University (Lithuania) or other CEE localizations • 4 on-line courses conducted viathe Blackboard® distance-learning platform: • International Bioethics (10 weeks) • Research Ethics 1 (10 weeks) • Research Ethics 2 (10 weeks) • Research Ethics Practicum (20 weeks) The Course duration – 16 months. 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

8. Students’ duties Each week students are expected to: • read required course materials (lectures, articles, international documents, etc.) • actively participate in on-line discussions, • prepare and submit short written assignment, f.e. essay, individual/small group project, etc. 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

9. „International Bioethics” • Introduction to basic concepts of international bioethics • Introduction to the historical development of the field • Introduction to the ethical and legal framework of international bioethics • Critical thinking, methods of Analysis • Case study method 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

10. „Research Ethics” (1/2) • The courses provide students with basic conceptual, normative, methodological and institutional knowledge and skills on research ethics, scientific integrity and responsible conduct of research. • Selected topics: ethos of science, research imperative, research design, clinical trails methodology, informed consent, therapeutic misconception, ethical review process, research on animals, fetal research, genetic research, tissues banks, emergency research, research misconduct, conflict of interests, etc. 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

11. On-line Practicum Project • This course is a key vehicle for preparing student to beleaders of research ethics in their home country. • The course consists of 2 elements: • Practical modules (grant application module, teaching module, public policy module, case writing module, SOP module) • Students’ projects 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

12. Practicum Project Students are expected to carry out projects in their home institutions, f.e. • developing and teaching courses on research ethics, • conducting empirical studies on research ethics, • writing, publishing and disseminating papers, books, manuals on research ethics; • writing and implementing policies on research ethics, • improving the work of research ethics committees; • influencing the public policy agenda of governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations. 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

13. Advantages of the program • International environment – the program is designed by American-European faculty and is designed for students from different Central and Eastern European countries • CEE countries’ perspective • Multidisciplinary – the program is designed by experts representing diverse fields and disciplines, and it is designed for students with diverse scientific and professional background 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

14. Advantages of the program • Theory and practice – the program provides students with the historical and theoretical foundations of research ethics, but also allows them to acquire the practical skills necessary for functioning as independent research ethicists in their home countries. • Integrationof CEE research ethicists and scientists 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

15. Advantages of the program • On-line long-time course –the format permits students to continue they professional activities while studing • Scholarships • Additional scholarships for promising students interested in completing a Masters in Bioethics from the union Graduate College, Bioethics Program 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007

16. THANK YOU 8th Global Forum of Bioethics, Vilnius 28, June 2007