Demystifying the Internal Review Board (IRB): Answers to Why, When, and How

On behalf of the Alliance Research Committee, this session will explore the critical role of Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight in supporting ethical, credible, and publishable continuing professional development (CPD) research. As CPD programs increasingly aim to measure learner behavior, clinical performance, and patient-level outcomes, many initiatives now meet the criteria for human subjects research. However, despite the shift toward more rigorous outcome measurement and scholarly dissemination, formal IRB oversight is often overlooked. This gap raises important concerns around data privacy, informed consent, and institutional risk—while also limiting the publication potential of CPD research. At the same time, CPD teams, medical societies, and/or healthcare systems may not engage in research due to fear of the IRB process. Many CPD professionals have uncertainty around whether IRB review is required, what level of review is appropriate, and how to navigate the process.

Expert panelists from the Research Committee—representing diverse backgrounds in education, ethics, and research—will provide practical guidance for determining when IRB review is needed, how to establish internal ethical review processes, and how to partner with external or centralized IRBs when necessary.

Key discussion topics will include:
-How to distinguish CPD research from quality improvement or program evaluation
-When IRB review is required—and when it’s exempt, expedited, or subject to full review
-Real-world case examples to illustrate different levels of review
-IRB training and requirements to submit a protocol
-The impact of IRB approval on publication potential and scholarly credibility
-Best practices for working with national or external IRBs
-Budgetary and timeline considerations when incorporating IRB oversight

This session will equip participants with valuable insights and greater confidence in integrating appropriate IRB oversight into CPD and medical education research workflows. CPD providers and research staff will be better equipped to elevate the quality and trustworthiness of their work—ultimately advancing the field of continuing education in healthcare.