Research Equity Accessibility Literacy (REAL)

In contribution to the OHSU mission to heal, teach, and discover, the OHSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) created the Research Equity, Accessibility, and Literacy (REAL) workgroup. The REAL workgroup seeks to improve every step of the research experience for OHSU’s diverse participant communities.  

At the core of the OHSU IRB’s mission to protect human subjects is our strong desire to re-build trust with communities that have been historically harmed by or excluded from research. We believe IRBs should elevate all voices, ensure respectful participant experiences, and introduce new considerations for inclusive research.  

This workgroup will support the institution’s goal of improving health literacy and strengthen our IRB’s commitment to equity and accessibility in the following ways:  

  1. Provide board members with up-to-date resources and educational opportunities regarding research ethics and health literacy advancements. 

  1. Integrate REAL consideration into the IRB process including updating review guides and setting communication standards. 

  1. Establish new standards for the OHSU community conducting research to increase equity, accessibility, and health literacy.