Dear Member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada:

Thank you for your interest in this survey. We are interested in learning whether family physicians are seeing children and adolescents with eating disorders in their practices, and understanding how you are managing them. The information gathered will help determine the best way to support family physicians with early identification and management of children and adolescents with eating disorders.

This survey should take about five minutes to complete.  Your responses are voluntary and will be confidential. Responses will not be identified by individual. All responses will be compiled together and analyzed as a group.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Karin Jasper 905-895-4521 ext. 2322 or by e-mail kjasper@southlakeregional.org.

Your support in completing the questionnaire is greatly appreciated.

Ahmed Boachie, MD, FRCPC
Karin Jasper, Ph.D.                                                                
Debra K. Katzman, MD, FRCPC
Patricia Mousmanis, MD CCFP FCFP
Pierre-Paul Tellier, MD CCFP FCFP


PARTICIPANT INFORMATION LETTER

A National Survey: Involving Family Physicians in Early Identification of Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders

Principal Investigators: Dr. Ahmed Boachie and Karin Jasper, Ph.D.
Co-Investigators: Dr. Debra Katzman, Dr. Patricia Mousmanis, and Dr. Pierre-Paul Tellier         
Study Contact: Karin Jasper 905-895-4521 ext. 2322

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to better understand physician-related factors that may assist in the early identification and management of eating disorders in children and adolescents. You are invited to participate because you are a family physician, registered with the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Description: Participation in this research survey is voluntary. If you consent to participate, you will be asked to complete a survey that will take about 5 minutes. It includes questions about your clinical experience and perception of early warning signs of eating disorders and your experience with the management of eating disorders. 

Your consent to be part of this study will be indicated by completing and submitting the survey. You may withdraw by exiting the questionnaire without pressing “submit” and your information will not be saved. Once you press “submit”, you cannot withdraw from the study. If you decide not to participate or if you withdraw, you will not be penalized. By agreeing to participate you do not give up any of your legal rights nor release the investigators or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities.

Confidentiality and Privacy:  All responses to the survey are anonymous. They will be compiled together and analyzed as a group. Responses will not be identified by individual and cannot be linked back to individual participants. Identifying information such your name, email address, or IP address will not be collected. Your identity will not be known to the study investigators, except where disclosure is required by law. All study information will be securely stored at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

At the end of the survey, if you would like to be notified about further studies on this subject you would send us your contact information separately by email.   In this case your email address will be stored in a secure place and will not be used for any other purpose.

Representatives of the Southlake Regional Health Centre Research Ethics Board, SickKids Research Ethics Board and SickKids Research Quality and Risk Management Office (independent bodies that reviewed the ethical aspects of this study to help protect the rights and welfare of study participants) may monitor the research and verify the accuracy of the study data.
Please note that the online study survey is hosted by "Survey Monkey" which is a web survey company located in the USA. All responses to the survey will be stored and accessed in the USA. This company is subject to U.S. laws, in particular, to the U.S. Patriot Act that allows authorities access to the records of internet service providers. The security and privacy policy for Survey Monkey can be viewed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/.

Potential Risks: There are no known risks or discomforts from participating in this study.
Potential Benefits: You will not directly benefit from participating in this study. However, the information gained may contribute the early identification of eating disorders in children and adolescents.
Reimbursement: You will not be paid to be part of this study.

Who Do You Call If You Have Questions Or Problems? If you have questions about taking part in this study please address them with the study investigators at 905-895-4521 ext. 2130. If you have any questions regarding your rights as a study participant or about ethical issues related to this study, please contact the Chair of the Southlake Regional Health Centre Research Ethics Board, Dr. Pravesh Jugnundan, at 905-895-4521 ext. 6638.

Question Title

* Clicking on the “Yes” button below indicates that:  
·         You have read the above information
·         You voluntarily agree to participate
·         You  allow access, use and disclosure of your study data as explained in this letter
 If you do not wish to participate in this research study, please decline participation by clicking on the “No” button.

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