Incidental Findings are unexpected discoveries made during a research study, but are not part of the research itself. An incidental finding may be considered a ‘material incidental finding’ if it suggests significant implications for the participant.
When material incidental findings are likely in a research project, the investigator should include a plan to manage such findings, within the initial HiREB application.
As per the TCPS2 (2022), Article 3.4, the researcher has an obligation to disclose any material incidental finding to the participant.
A Collaboration of
Disclaimer: The Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HiREB) represents the institutions of Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Research St. Joseph's-Hamilton, and the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University and operates in compliance with and is constituted in accordance with the requirements of: The Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans; The International Conference on Harmonization of Good Clinical Practices; Part C Division 5 of the Food and Drug Regulations of Health Canada, and the provisions of the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act 2004 and its applicable Regulations; For studies conducted at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, HiREB complies with the Health Ethics Guide of the Catholic Alliance of Canada