Applications submitted to regional research committees in 1976 and their outcome.

In 1976 regional research committees in England and their equivalent in the Welsh Office judged 608 proposals for funding under the locally organised research scheme. Of these, 521 were new proposals and 87 were resubmissions. Medically and dentally qualified applicants made 451 (87%) of the new proposals; nearly two-thirds came from teaching areas and 21% from staff of academic departments. Two hundred and ninety new proposals were approved, 154 rejected, and 77 were referred back for modification. Approval was commoner for applications from teaching areas, from medical staff, and for the less expensive projects. Some regional committees did not support research into the organisation of health services. Under a quarter of the resubmitted projects were rejected. The scheme is not yet used by a wide range of health-care professions. Medical staff in teaching areas still use it most. In some regions prospective researchers, especially those without previous experience, need a comprehensive and easily identifiable counselling service, so that the fund may be exploited in the way originally intended and the number of unsuccessful proposals reduced.     

A critical analysis of Australian clinical ethics committees and the functions they serve

The predominant function of Australian clinical ethics committees (CECs) is policy formation. Some committees have an educational role. Few committees play any direct role in advising on ethics in the management of individual patients and this occurs only in exceptional circumstances. There is a tendency to exaggerate both the number and function of committees. It is suggested that studies of ethics committees, based on questionnaire surveys, should be interpreted cautiously. An examination of ethical issues indicates that there is a role for a critical analysis of power relations in Australian hospitals that is not fulfilled by CECs.