What is the Office
of Research Subject Advocacy?
The National Center for
Research Resources recently established a new position within the GCRC for an
Office of Research Subject Advocacy.
This position was created to improve the safety of human research
subjects in clinical trials. At the
University of North Carolina General Clinical Research Center, the Office of
Research Subject Advocacy was funded and established in April 2001.
Who works in the
Office of Research Subject Advocacy?
The Office of Research
Subject Advocacy at UNC consists of two individuals who work together to
promote safety in research. These two
individuals are David J. Weber, MD and Marie H. Zeldin, RN. Both Research
Subject Advocates have offices located on the GCRC.
What can the Office of Research Subject Advocacy do
for you?
One of the roles of the
Research Subject Advocate is to act as an advocate for your rights as a
participant in research. This includes
some of the following:
§
Providing you with
educational information about research in general or about the particular study
in which you may be participating;
§
Serving as your advocate
in case of a misunderstanding between you and an investigator or member of the
research team;
§
Serving as an objective
witness to the consent process if requested by you;
§
To receive, discuss and
resolve your questions, concerns or complaints;
§
To facilitate resolution
of issues related to bills you receive that you believe may be related to the
GCRC study in which you are participating.
How can I
contact a Research Subject Advocate?
Both the Research Subject
Advocates have an open door policy.
One of them is usually available, Monday through Friday, from 8AM to
4PM. Please ask any GCRC staff member
to direct you to their offices. In
addition, they may be contacted at the following numbers:
Marie H. Zeldin 919-966-6844
David J. Weber 919-843-0726
Will my
confidentiality be maintained?
The Office of Research
Subject Advocacy will maintain the confidentiality of all private information
provided by a research subject.
Subjects are encouraged to be honest without fear of reprisal by their
doctors, investigators, or the UNC Hospital system.