Participant Information

Introduction
You are invited to participate in a research study entitled 'Exploring the Healthcare Experiences of Persons with Autism'.

Purpose
This research is being conducted by Chloe Walsh, a PhD candidate in the School of Medicine, NUI Galway under the supervision of Dr Paul O'Connor and Dr. Sinéad Lydon. We at the School of Medicine,  are interested in collecting information about the healthcare experiences of people with autism and any difficulties you might experience in healthcare settings. This is important because research shows that people with autism have less access to appropriate healthcare services than people without autism and may suffer poorer health as a result.  

We hope that once we know more about the difficulties people with autism experience within healthcare, we can incorporate this knowledge into the training of healthcare students and professionals to make healthcare visits more autism-friendly.

Procedure
To take part in this research, you will be asked to complete a survey. The questions will ask you about about your experiences in healthcare settings and about your wellbeing. 

Please only submit one survey. The survey will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.  However, you do not need to complete it in one sitting. Your progress will be saved if you exit the survey so that you can continue at a time that suits you (Please note that you will need to use the same device each time in order for this work).

Compensation
You will be given the opportunity to enter into a prize draw for one of four €50 One4All vouchers at the end of this survey. A copy of the research results will also be available once the study is complete.

Risks
This survey will ask you to think about previous healthcare visits which may have been difficult. We will also ask some questions about your wellbeing. This may cause distress or upset. If this happens, you can exit the survey at any time. You will also be provided with the contact details of relevant support services.Click here for list of support services and organisations.

Confidentiality
This survey is completely anonymous, which means that we won't ask you for any personal information that could identify you.

What happens at the end of the study?
The results may be published in an academic journal. However only general findings will be reported, without reference to identifiable individual results. The results from this study will also be used to inform an intervention aimed at improving healthcare access for people with autism and may be used in the training of medical students and professionals. 

Voluntary nature of the study
You are entitled to change your mind about participating in this study at any time without disadvantage or penalty.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this study, or have any difficulties completing the questionnaire, please do not hesitate to contact us, we are happy to help.

Chloe Walsh
Discipline of General Practice,
School of Medicine,
1 Distillery Road,
NUI Galway
Email: chloe.walsh@nuigalway.ie
Phone: (091) 49 3674
Mobile: 085 135 3772

Dr Paul O'Connor
Discipline of General Practice,
School of Medicine,
1 Distillery Road,
NUI Galway
Email: paul.oconnor@nuigalway.ie
Phone: (091) 49 2897

Dr Sinéad Lydon,
School of Medicine,
NUI Galway,
Email: sinead.lydon@nuigalway.ie
Phone: (091) 49 3961

Question Title

* 1. Statement of Consent. I confirm I am over 18 years of age. I have read the information provided. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions and have had enough time to consider the information. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason, without my legal rights being affected.

If you agree with the statement of consent and will participate in the study, please choose 'yes' below.

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