Provincial Health Research Privacy Committee (PHRPC) Call for Nominations

The Research Improvements Through Harmonization in Manitoba (RITHIM) initiative is a new provincial program working towards a new harmonized application and review process for health research ethics, institutional impact, and privacy approval in Manitoba.

As we prepare for the full launch of RITHIM and the incorporation of applications to PHRPC into the harmonized RITHIM Provincial Research Application System (RITHIM-PRAS), we are looking to recruit additional PHRPC members.  Take this unique opportunity to be part of the initiative to harmonize and create a more efficient process for health research reviews in Manitoba!

As part of the process, the Provincial Health Research Privacy Committee (PHRPC) was established as of January 1, 2022.  As required under amendments to Manitoba’s The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), PHRPC is the statutory committee responsible for conducting privacy review of all health research projects that require use of personal health information held by any Manitoba trustee, including government and government agencies, and render a decision (i.e., approved, conditionally approved or not approved/requires revision).

The responsibilities of PHRPC are to determine:

• whether the importance of a research project outweighs any intrusion into privacy;

• that the research cannot be done without using identifiable personal health information;

• that it is impossible or impractical to obtain consent from the people the personal health information is about;

• that adequate safeguards are in place to protect the confidentiality of the information; and

• that the information is the minimum amount necessary to accomplish the purpose of the research project.

We are seeking individuals from post-secondary institutions, health care institutions, and health authorities across Manitoba who have the requisite qualifications and experience.  You may nominate yourself or a colleague.

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Qualifications and Time Commitment:

• Approximately 4 hours per month.

• Time, availability, and willingness to serve on the committee. Appointments are for a 3-year renewable term, which may be renewed for one additional term for a maximum of six (6) years.

• Comfortable participating in virtual meetings and with the use of an electronic administration system (e.g., portal).

• High level of integrity.

• Experience assessing, interpreting, and communicating the impact of privacy legislation in a research or healthcare setting.

• Understanding of the importance of protecting the confidentiality and privacy of personal health information, and the implications and procedures to be followed in the event of a privacy breach.

• Knowledge of administrative, clinical and/or business datasets in one or more health system domains, and the implications of linking these datasets.

• Knowledge of Manitoba’s Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) and other information related to privacy legislation (e.g., The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act).

• Knowledge of applicable health laws.

• Commitment to continuous learning.

• Peer review skills.

• Effective committee contribution skills.

The following groups are designated as under-represented by the Employment Equity Program of the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service equity groups are recognized by Agencies, Boards and Commissions within the PHPRC appointment process, and we encourage individuals to self-identify as belonging to an underrepresented group.

• Female

• Indigenous (includes Treaty Status, Non-Status, Metis and Inuit)

• Disabled by physical disability affecting employment (i.e., co-ordination, hearing, speech, mobility, vision, paralysis etc.)

• Visible Minority

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Nominees are asked to submit a CV and short bio outlining their relevant education and experience to PHRPC@researchmb.ca.

For any questions about PHRPC or the nomination process, please do not hesitate to contact Liz Lylyk, RITHIM Director, at Elizabeth.lylyk@researchmb.ca or 204-942-1663.