When should an investigator reach out to their institution's HRPP office?

An investigator should reach out to their institution's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) office when submitting a protocol to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) because the HRPP serves as a key resource for ensuring that research involving human subjects adheres to ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements. The HRPP office is equipped to provide guidance on the necessary components of a protocol, help navigate the submission process, and address any questions related to compliance and oversight.

This interaction is vital to ensure that the proposed research is ethical, the rights and welfare of participants are protected, and that the study aligns with institutional policies. This facilitates a smoother review process by the IRB, ensuring that all protocol details are compliant with the relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations. Engaging with the HRPP at this stage helps to prevent delays in the review process and promotes adherence to best practices in human research protection.

Other scenarios, such as questions about personal conduct, determining conflicts of interest, or conducting interviews, while potentially important matters, do not specifically pertain to the procedural aspects of submitting a research protocol to the IRB and therefore do not necessitate immediate engagement with the HRPP.