Impact Case Study: Retrospectively exploring research ethics during the Ebola epidemic

All research trials are subject to ethical standards, but in public health emergencies such as Ebola outbreaks, it is unclear to what extent these are upheld. Prioritising learning from people with lived experience, this study gathered and analysed first-hand accounts of navigating clinical research ethics, including for vaccines and treatments.

Evidence indicates that the study has deepened the understanding of researchers and research ethics boards in West Africa on the complexities and feasibility of conducting research ethically in a public health emergency. It has reinforced the need for researchers to maintain strong internal ethical review processes and has influenced research practice, including for other outbreaks such as COVID-19. Direct involvement of Ebola survivors in the study has helped to facilitate increased community involvement in ethics committees in Guinea and Sierra Leone. The study has informed new projects on tools and resources for ethical research.

R2HC captures detailed case studies through a process that triangulates and validates evidence on uptake and impact. The case study methodology and full version of this summary case study including references are available on request. Outputs and resources from this study are available on the project page.