Project Title: Biopsychosocial factors affecting the well being of individuals with autoimmune diseases
Why is this research being done?
This is a research project being conducted by Dr. Mary Ann Hoffman and Nicole Taylor at the University of Maryland, College Park. We are inviting you to participate in this research project because you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. The purpose of this research project is to help understand the biopsychosocial factors affecting the well being of individuals with autoimmune diseases.
What will I be asked to do?
The procedures involve completing a few surveys that will ask questions about the impact of your health problems on your daily activities, your mood, the social support you have received, and your health behaviors. You can complete these surveys online from your own computer. The surveys are expected to take 30-40 minutes to complete.
What about confidentiality?
We will do our best to keep your personal information confidential. To help protect your confidentiality, you will be assigned a code number, which will be used to track your information. Your will not be asked to include your name on the surveys. All data will be kept on a password protected computer and hard copies of the surveys you will fill out will be kept in a locked filing cabinet. If we write a report or article about this research project, your identity will be protected to the maximum extent possible. You should close your internet browser after you have submitted the survey to help maintain the confidentiality of your survey responses.
What are the risks of this research?
There are no known risks associated with participating in this research project.
What are the benefits of this research?
The benefits to you may include gaining a greater understanding of the psychological impact of your disease. We hope that, in the future, other people might benefit from this study through improved understanding of the experiences of individuals with autoimmune diseases.
Do I have to be in this research? May I stop participating at any time?
Your participation in this research is completely voluntary. You may choose not to take part at all. If you decide to participate in this research, you may stop participating at any time. If you decide not to participate in this study or if you stop participating at any time, you will not be penalized or lose any benefits to which you otherwise qualify.
Is any medical treatment available if I am injured?
The University of Maryland does not provide any medical, hospitalization or other insurance for participants in this research study, nor will the University of Maryland provide any medical treatment or compensation for any injury sustained as a result of participation in this research study, except as required by law.
What if I have questions?
This research is being conducted by Mary Ann Hoffman and Nicole Taylor at the University of Maryland, College Park. If you have any questions about the research study itself, please contact Nicole Taylor at: 3214 Benjamin Building, Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 or (515) 271-2844 or nicoleetaylor@gmail.com.
If you have questions about your rights as a research subject or wish to report a research-related injury, please contact: Institutional Review Board Office, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742;
(e-mail) irb@deans.umd.edu; (telephone) 301-405-0678
This research has been reviewed according to the University of Maryland, College Park IRB procedures for research involving human subjects.