PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
Using blogs to measure self-care
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
Using blogs to measure self-care
You are invited to take part in a research study because you have a knee condition. This study is taking place at Cardiff University. Before you decide if you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read this information carefully. If there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information, then please ask our team member David Owen (OwenDW1@cardiff.ac.uk). You may discuss it with others before you decide whether or not you wish to participate.
What is the purpose of this study?
The aim of this study is to obtain individual views about recovery from a knee condition using a set of 10 open-ended questions. This information will be used to inform development of a new way of measuring recovery. In the future this could be used to provide instant feedback to a clinician about a patient's recovery and help them work out a personalised treatment plan. This new way of collecting information and measuring recovery could be a substitute or complement to the use of closed-ended questionnaires, which do not always allow patients to effectively engage and personalise their treatment.
Do I have to take part?
No, it is solely your decision to decide if you want take part or not. Should you decide not to take part, you do not have to provide a reason for such decision.
What will I need to do?
Taking part will involve using a private and secure online platform to answer 10 open-ended questions about your knee. Before starting you will be asked to provide formal consent to participate by ticking an appropriate box.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
There will be no direct benefit to you by taking part in this study. The findings of this study will be used to develop a new and potentially more informative way of measuring recovery, which may benefit patients in the future.
Are there any risks in participating in this study?
No. You will only be required to complete a questionnaire, which will take approximately 10-20 minutes of your time.
Who is organising and funding the research?
This study is being organised and carried out by clinicians, computing experts and researchers at Cardiff University. There are no commercial sources of funding.
How will my information be kept confidential?
All information that is collected about you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. We will be using the computing infrastructure and secure storage within Cardiff University, which meets local and national standards for security and privacy. We will not be asking for any identifiable information, and, therefore, all collected data will be anonymous. Nonetheless, any information you provide will not be shared with anyone else. Your data will be stored for 15 years and then will be destroyed in line with data protection procedures.
What will happen to the results?
The results of the study will be presented at scientific meetings and published in journals for healthcare professionals and computer scientists. You will not be identified in any report/publication, but we may use some of the comments that you provide us with in our reports.
Who has reviewed this study?
This study has been reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee at the School of Computer Science & Informatics, Cardiff University.
What if I wish to lodge a complaint?
There are no special compensation arrangements for participation in this research. If you still wish to lodge a complaint, then please contact our Research Ethics Committee at COMSC-ethics@cardiff.ac.uk.
If you would like further details of this project please contact:
David Owen (OwenDW1@cardiff.ac.uk), our team member.