Parent Information, Consent Form – Telephone Interview

Research Title: It Doesn’t Have to Hurt: A Science-Media Partnership to Mobilize Evidence about Children’s Pain to Parents

Researchers:                          

Co-Principal Investigators: Christine T. Chambers Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology. Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre. Erica Ehm. Creator/Publisher. Erica Ehm Communications, Ltd. (YummyMummyClub.ca).

Co-Investigators: Melanie Barwick. Scientific Director, Knowledge Translation, Child Health Evaluative Sciences. Hospital for Sick Children. Jacqueline Bender. Health Researcher, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation. University Health Network. Marsha Campbell-Yeo. Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Departments of Pediatrics, Psychology and Neuroscience. IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University. George Collier. Manager, REAL Knowledge Program. Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation. Ran Goldman. Professor and co-head of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology,  Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. University of British Columbia. Jeffrey Mogil. Professor, Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Psychology. Pain Genetics Lab. McGill University. Kathryn O’Hara. Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communications. University of Ottawa. Bonnie Stevens. Senior Scientist, Child Health Evaluative Sciences. Hospital for Sick Children. Jennifer Stinson. Scientist, Child Health Evaluative Sciences. Hospital for Sick Children. Anna Taddio. Professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Toronto. Holly Witteman. Assistant Professor, Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Université Laval.  

Funding:     Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) 

Introduction                                                                         

You are being invited to take part in the research study named above. The main researcher on this study is Dr. Christine Chambers, a Professor and Researcher at Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre. This form provides information about the study. It is important that you understand the purpose of the study, how it may affect you, the risks and benefits associated with the study and what you will be asked to do before you decide if you will participate. The purpose of this Information Form is to help you decide if it is in your best interest to take part in this study. You do not have to take part in this study. Taking part is entirely voluntary (up to you). Informed consent starts with the initial contact about the study and continues until the end of the study. A staff member of the research team will be available to answer any questions you have. You may decide not to take part or you may withdraw from the study at any time. If you have any questions that this form does not answer, the research assistant will be happy to give you further information.

Why are the researchers doing the study?

The overall goal of this study is to increase parents’ (primarily mothers’) awareness and use of evidence-based information about children’s pain via a science-media partnership linking internationally recognized researchers with an established award-winning online media forum, the Yummy Mummy Club.ca (YMC). We want to learn more about parents’ perspectives on children’s pain and whether these change after the “It Doesn’t Have to Hurt” campaign which will be launched by the research team and YMC on September 21, 2015.

How will the researchers do the study?

Participants will be individuals who follow YMC, have completed the pre-survey voluntarily, and have opted in to be contacted for further research. The researchers will complete this study by interviewing you over the phone, asking you questions about children’s pain.

What will I be asked to do?

A research assistant will contact you by email or over the phone. This initial email will involve providing information about the study and inviting you to participate in the research study. Then, a research assistant will call you and if you indicate interest in participating, you will be invited to complete the telephone interview at a time that is convenient for you.

At the beginning of the interview, the researcher will obtain verbal consent from you after reviewing the consent form with you over the telephone. You will be provided with an electronic copy of the consent form via email if you express interest in having one. The entire participation time will be approximately 20-30 minutes. Telephone calls will be recorded.

We will again ask to contact you in about 12 months time, after the “It Doesn’t Have to Hurt” campaign has ended, to conduct a similar interview. At this time, you will again have the option to opt-in or out.

What are the burdens, harms, and potential harms?

No harms are anticipated as a result of your participation in this study.

What are the possible benefits?

You may not experience any personal benefits from participating in this study. However, you may feel positive about contributing to research and knowledge.

What alternatives to participation do I have?

Before deciding to enrol in this study, you should know that you do not have to take part.

Can I withdraw from the study?

Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary (your choice). Materials from those who withdraw from the study or who do not participate will be destroyed if they express a desire for materials to be destroyed.

Will the study cost me anything and, if so, how will I be reimbursed?

In recognition of your time, you will receive a $10 Amazon.ca e-gift card for taking part in this study, which will be e-mailed to you following the telephone interview. You would receive an additional $10 Amazon.ca e-gift card for completing the follow-up interview in 12 months.

Are there any conflicts of interest?

None.

What about possible profit from commercialization of the study results?

None.

How will I be informed of study results?

Final results will be published on our website www.itdoesnthavetohurt.ca, on YummyMummyClub.ca and over social media. We predict that the final results of the study will be available in the Spring 2017.

How will my privacy be protected?

Anything that is learned about you and your child(ren) will be kept private. All individuals participating in this study will be given a code-number. This code number will be used to identify all of the information we get, and we will not be putting your names on any of the forms. Study records will be stored in a locked filing cabinet. Only trained research staff working on this study will have access to the study data. Study records will be kept for 5 years after publication as required by the IWK Research Ethics Board. The study records may have to be shown to the Research Services Office of the IWK Health Centre. We will never use your or your child’s name in any publications of the completed study. Only group results will be given in talks or reports.

What if I have study questions or problems?

You have the right to ask questions about this study at any time. If you have any questions about this study, please call (902) 470-7706.

What are my research rights?

Your verbal consent obtained during the phone interview indicates that you have understood to your satisfaction the information regarding you participation in the study and that you agree to participate.

If you have any questions at any time during or after the study about research in general you may contact the Research Office of the IWK Health Centre at (902) 470-7706, Monday to Friday between 9a.m. and 5p.m