Implementation Process of the Research Ethics Committee at Hospital Maternidade Interlagos: An Experience Report from the 2020–2022 Period

Abstract

The accreditation of Research Ethics Committees (RECs) is an essential requirement to ensure ethical review of research involving human beings, in accordance with national regulations. Within this process, initial and continuous training of committee members is a key element to guarantee consistent, technically grounded, and ethically sound evaluations focused on protecting human dignity. Objective: To report the experience of implementing and accrediting the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Maternidade Interlagos (HMI), emphasizing the role of educational actions in the ethical training of its members and in the dissemination of research ethics within the institution. Experience report: The implementation process of the HMI REC began in January 2020 and culminated in accreditation by CONEP in April 2022. Throughout this period, systematic internal and external training activities were conducted, including participation in educational initiatives promoted by accredited RECs and national continuing education programs. These actions focused on ethical and legal standards and good scientific practices. After accreditation, the committee organized permanent education activities within the institution. As a result, in 2024 the First HMI REC Meeting was held, aimed at hospital staff, addressing ethical principles, regulatory frameworks, and the structure and functioning of the CEP/CONEP System, with the participation of 60 professionals. Final considerations: Continuous education strengthened the REC and fostered an institutional culture of ethics, increasing professionals’ awareness of participant protection and scientific integrity. As stated by the educator Paulo Freire, “teaching is not merely transferring knowledge, but also creating the possibilities for its own production or construction.”