1. The EAST e-mail address database is available for access by members as well as non-members to solicit participation in surveys. Requests for participation in other clinical studies or surveys involving patients and/or other trauma care providers should be routed through the research clearinghouse web page.

2. Prior to approval of access to the EAST web mail system, the investigator must:
a. Submit a brief synopsis of the purpose, methodology, anticipated results, and a copy of the survey tool to the Chairman of the Task Force on Research Related Issues.
b. Provide documentation of submission for review and decisions regarding approval or exemption of the study by the investigator’s home institution IRB.

3. The project will then be reviewed by the task force on research related issues to determine suitability for dissemination to the membership.

4. If approved, the following statement must be appended to the solicitation announcement for participation: “This survey, and use of the EAST web mail system to solicit member participation, has been approved by the EAST Task Force on Research Related Issues. The survey project has been reviewed by our/my IRB and exempted/approved. Results will be made available to any EAST member upon request.”

5. There is no requirement that the results be submitted for presentation at an EAST Annual Meeting. However, this is certainly encouraged. A decision by the investigator(s) not to submit results for presentation at an EAST meeting will have no bearing on the decision of the Task Force with regard to approval.

For further information, please contact the EAST central office