Blind spots: The hidden challenges of conducting multisite intervention research.
- 1Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky School of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States.
- 2Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 600 S. Taylor Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States.
- 3Human Research Protection Office, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States.
Abstract
U.S. single-IRB (sIRB) policies require one central IRB to review federally funded multisite research. Although intended to support collaboration, few studies have explored the practical challenges of implementing sIRBs. Drawing on firsthand experience from a multisite project, we present challenges and solutions to inform researchers considering or required to use sIRBs. Challenges include identifying when sIRB review is needed, costs associated with sIRB review, insufficient communication pathways, and complex submission processes. Recommendations include consulting with the IRB early, proactively confirming reliance processes and needed updates, establishing expectations for clear communication across sites, increasing structural support to promote equitable participation, and standardizing local context review requirements to improve consistency and efficiency.
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BibTeX
@article{cooksey2026blind,
title = {{Blind spots: The hidden challenges of conducting multisite intervention research.}},
author = {Krista E Cooksey and Rachelle Roy and Carissa Minder and Mary C Politi and Ashley J Housten},
journal = {Contemporary clinical trials communications},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.conctc.2026.101698},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898051},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Blind spots: The hidden challenges of conducting multisite intervention research.
AU - Krista E Cooksey
AU - Rachelle Roy
AU - Carissa Minder
AU - Mary C Politi
AU - Ashley J Housten
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - Contemporary clinical trials communications
DO - 10.1016/j.conctc.2026.101698
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898051
AB - U.S. single-IRB (sIRB) policies require one central IRB to review federally funded multisite research. Although intended to support collaboration, few studies have explored the practical challenges of implementing sIRBs. Drawing on firsthand experience from a multisite project, we present challenges and solutions to inform researchers considering or required to use sIRBs. Challenges include identifying when sIRB review is needed, costs associated with sIRB review, insufficient communication pathways, and complex submission processes. Recommendations include consulting with the IRB early, proactively confirming reliance processes and needed updates, establishing expectations for clear communication across sites, increasing structural support to promote equitable participation, and standardizing local context review requirements to improve consistency and efficiency.
SN - 2451-8654
ER -