Research Ethics

Last updated: September 6, 2025

Ethical research practices are fundamental to Tendral Health's mission. We maintain the highest standards of research ethics to protect participants and ensure the integrity of healthcare research.

Our Ethical Foundation

Every research activity must benefit healthcare knowledge while respecting participant autonomy, maintaining professional integrity, and advancing patient care.

Core Ethical Principles

Our research ethics framework is built on internationally recognized principles:

Respect for Persons

We treat all research participants as autonomous agents capable of making informed decisions about their participation in research activities.

  • Informed consent for all research participation
  • Right to withdraw at any time without penalty
  • Protection of vulnerable populations

Beneficence

We maximize benefits while minimizing risks to participants and the broader healthcare community.

  • Research must contribute to healthcare knowledge
  • Risk-benefit analysis for all studies
  • Protection from harm and exploitation

Justice

We ensure fair distribution of research benefits and burdens across all participant groups.

  • Fair participant selection and compensation
  • Equitable access to research opportunities
  • Consideration of social and economic factors

Research Review Process

All research conducted through our platform undergoes rigorous ethical review:

Initial Ethics Screening

  • Research Purpose: Clear scientific or medical justification for the study
  • Participant Safety: Assessment of potential risks and mitigation strategies
  • Professional Standards: Alignment with healthcare professional ethics
  • Legal Compliance: Adherence to applicable regulations and laws

Detailed Ethics Review

  • Informed Consent: Clear, comprehensive consent process evaluation
  • Data Protection: Privacy and confidentiality safeguards assessment
  • Scientific Merit: Research design and methodology evaluation
  • Conflict of Interest: Assessment of potential conflicts and mitigation

Participant Protections

Informed Consent

All participants receive clear, comprehensive information about research before participation.

  • Purpose and procedures of the research
  • Potential risks and benefits
  • Voluntary participation and right to withdraw
  • Data usage and sharing practices

Privacy Protection

Comprehensive measures to protect participant privacy and confidentiality.

  • Data anonymization and de-identification
  • Secure data transmission and storage
  • Limited access to identifiable information
  • Compliance with privacy regulations

Ongoing Monitoring

Continuous oversight to ensure ethical standards are maintained throughout research.

  • Regular review of research activities
  • Participant feedback and complaint mechanisms
  • Adverse event reporting and response
  • Independent oversight and auditing

Research Standards

We adhere to internationally recognized research ethics standards:

International Guidelines

  • Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects
  • Belmont Report: Ethical principles and guidelines for research involving human subjects
  • ICH-GCP Guidelines: Good Clinical Practice standards for research
  • CIOMS Guidelines: International ethical guidelines for health-related research

Professional Standards

  • Healthcare Professional Ethics: Alignment with medical, nursing, and allied health ethics codes
  • Research Integrity: Honest, accurate, and transparent research practices
  • Conflict of Interest Management: Identification and management of potential conflicts
  • Publication Ethics: Responsible dissemination of research findings

Prohibited Research Activities

The following types of research are strictly prohibited on our platform:

Strictly Prohibited

  • ×Research involving Protected Health Information (PHI)
  • ×Studies that could compromise patient safety or care
  • ×Research without clear scientific or medical purpose
  • ×Studies involving vulnerable populations without appropriate protections
  • ×Marketing disguised as research
  • ×Research with undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • ×Studies that violate professional ethics codes

Ethics Review Committee

Our internal Ethics Review Committee ensures all research meets our ethical standards:

Committee Composition

  • Healthcare professionals from multiple specialties
  • Research ethics and bioethics experts
  • Legal and regulatory compliance specialists
  • Patient advocacy and community representatives

Review Process

  • All research proposals undergo committee review
  • Regular monitoring of ongoing research activities
  • Investigation of ethics complaints and concerns
  • Continuous improvement of ethics policies and procedures

Reporting Ethics Concerns

We encourage the reporting of any research ethics concerns:

How to Report

Ethics Hotline: ethics@tendralhealth.com

Anonymous Reporting: Available through our secure portal

Direct Contact: ethics-committee@tendralhealth.com

Response Time: 48-72 hours for urgent concerns

Types of Concerns to Report

  • Potential ethics violations in research design or conduct
  • Inadequate informed consent processes
  • Privacy or confidentiality breaches
  • Conflicts of interest that weren't disclosed
  • Research that doesn't meet professional standards

Research Ethics Contact

For research ethics questions, concerns, or consultation:

Ethics Committee: ethics@tendralhealth.com

Research Integrity: integrity@tendralhealth.com

Address: Tendral Health LLC, 123 Market Street, Suite 500, Bozeman, Montana 59715

Response Time: 2-3 business days for general inquiries, 48-72 hours for urgent concerns