The MedStar Health Research Institute (MHRI) Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has identified a way to simplify and expedite the IRB process with the discontinuation of the PEER database.
What is the Current Process?
The PEER database is a local MedStar database used to check research staff for up-to-date training. Currently, ORI staff receives reports from CITI and manually enters that data into the PEER database. When a personnel change is needed, research staff must go into the PEER system to look up the PEER number and copy-paste that number in the IRB form. Upon receipt, ORI staff looks up the individual to verify their PEER number. If a PEER number is not found, then ORI staff goes to CITI to see what courses are missing. Notice is sent to the researcher of missing training.
Why the Change?
Checking two sources and updating the PEER database is duplicative work for ORI staff, adding administrative burden to processing reviews. Removing the PEER number lookup will save time for both researchers and ORI staff for personnel changes.
So What Happens Now?
For investigators, finding and providing your PEER number in IRB forms will no longer be required.
Training through CITI will still be required. Investigators will continue to go directly to https:///www.citiprogram.org to complete required courses. ORI will check for training compliance by looking up training directly with CITI.
Forms submitted with a missing PEER number will not be sent back by ORI. Currently, changes are underway to update ORI website removing references to PEER and ORI submission forms will be updated to remove the fields requesting entry of a PEER number.
The training approval period has been changed in CITI to match the 3-year period that was in the PEER database. Reminders for training expirations continue to be sent from the CITI database but now will come at 30 days and 7 days prior to training expiration. No additional reminders will be sent from ORI.
If there is anything you would like us to take a closer look at, please do not hesitate to contact MHRI's Office of Research Integrity at MHRI-ORIHelpDesk@MedStar.net.
