Risks of Participation:
The only potentially identifiable data we will collect are the first 3 digits of your primary practice postal code. We will be using this information to assess whether survey responses reflect primary practice location. We do not anticipate that postal code data will be able to be directly linked to individuals in the unexpected event that this information is released to an unauthorized party, but we will notify both participants and the UHN REB in case of an unauthorized disclosure. In addition, we are requesting the location of your residency training in order to determine whether there are differences between practitioner responses based on location of training.
Data Collection and Storage:
Your participation is completely voluntary and your decision whether to participate will not be revealed to the investigators. All data will be collected from the online survey website, to which only the investigators and study delegates will have password-protected access. Each survey will be assigned a study identification number. The collected data will then be transferred to a password-protected and encrypted electronic database, which will be stored on the University Health Network (UHN) server to protect the information from theft, loss or unauthorized access. Only the investigators and study delegates will have access to the data.
Confidentiality:
Your data will be shared as described in this consent form or as required by law. No personal information aside from the first 3 digits of your primary practice postal code and the location of your residency training will be collected. The survey you will be consenting to is anonymous in nature. The data we collect from it cannot identify you. Because we are using an external service, (Survey Monkey), the service itself is aware of the IP Address of the computer you use to fill in the form. Additionally, there is no contract specific to UHN that controls the disposition of the information. The investigators will keep any personal information about you in a secure and confidential location for 10 years.
Remuneration:
We appreciate that your time is valuable, and in exchange for your participation you will have the opportunity to be entered into a draw for a $200 CAD Amazon gift card. If you would like to enter into the draw, please contact hayley.merkeley@uhn.ca directly. Please note that communication via e-mail is not absolutely secure. Thus, please do not communicated personal sensitive information via e-mail.
Questions About the Study:
By completing the survey, your consent is implied and you are agreeing to the use of your information as described above. If you do not wish to have your information used please contact the study team.If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant or have concerns about this study, call the Chair of the University Health Network Research Ethics Board (UH N REB) or the Research Ethics office number at 416-581-7849. The REB is a group of people who oversee the ethical conduct of research studies. The UHN REB is not part of the study team. Everything that you discuss will be kept confidential.
Thank-you for your consideration. Should you have outstanding questions, please feel free to email: Hayley.Merkeley@uhn.ca.
Sincerely,
Hayley Merkeley MD, FRCPC
Clinical Fellow
Red Blood Cell Disorders Program
Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology
Department of Medicine, University Health Network
David M. T. Esho MD, CCFP
Family Physician
Toronto Western Family Health Team
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University Health Network
Kevin H. M. Kuo, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Clinical-Investigator and Staff Hematologist
Red Blood Cell Disorders Program
Therapeutic Apheresis Program
Division of Med