WIRB-Copernicus Group to Host Webinar Addressing Ethical and Study Integrity Concerns Resulting from Clinical Trial Participants Using Social Media

PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG), the world's largest provider of regulatory and ethical review services and software to support clinical research, announced today that it will be hosting a webinar entitled, "Is Facebook Hurting Your Study? Ethical and Study Integrity Concerns When Participants Use Social Media," from 3-4 p.m. EST on Feb. 10.

"Many clinical trial participants do not realize that they can bias a study by discussing their opinions about the efficacy of an investigational drug or describing adverse events online," said WCG Chief Medical Officer and President, Consulting Services Lindsay McNair, MD, MPH, MSB. "By comparing study experiences, they can influence other participants' behavior and may also inadvertently unblind a study by enabling their peers to determine whether they are receiving the investigational drug or a placebo."

During this session, the presenters will discuss the pros and cons of clinical trial participants discussing their experiences online. They will also explore the impact that behavior could have on the study outcome and resulting data. In addition, they will review tools and techniques that can be used to educate participants about the unintentional harm they can cause by sharing their trials insights online. Available resources include the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation's (CISCRP's) "Speak Out, but Speak Smart" website and videos.

Dr. McNair will co-present this webinar with Elizabeth Buchanan, PhD, endowed chair and director of the Center for Applied Ethics, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) leadership director research services at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. WIRB Executive IRB Chair R. Bert Wilkins, JD, MHA, CIP will moderate the session.

To register for this complimentary webinar, please visit
https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1053566.

About WIRB-Copernicus Group
WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG) is the world's largest provider of regulatory and ethical solutions for clinical research. The company provides Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews, and Human Research Protection (HRP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Biosafety consulting services. Its technology offerings include IRB workflow management solutions (IRBNet), clinical trial management software for sponsors and contract research organizations (ePharmaSolutions), and Part-11 compliant online learning solutions for research professionals (WCG Academy).

The pioneer of independent ethical oversight, WCG continues to drive progress in the clinical research space. WCG empowers clients to accelerate life-saving advancements, while ensuring that the risks of progress never outweigh the value of human life.

For more information, please visit www.wcgclinical.com or follow us on Twitter @WCGClinical.

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SOURCE WIRB-Copernicus Group

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