The Influence of Type-D Personality on Quality of Life in Atrial Fibrillation.
I would like to invite you to take part in a research study. Before you agree to take part it is important you understand why the research is being done and what it would involve for you. Please read through this information sheet carefully and talk to other people about the research if you wish. If you have any questions about the research please contact Sarah Oliver (Lead Researcher, contact details below). Thank you for taking the time to read this.
What is the purpose of this research?
This research is part of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme at the University of Hull. The aim of this research is to provide a greater understanding of the impact of personality, (particularly one type of personality, ‘Type-D’), on a person’s quality of life. We also want to look at what people think about their diagnosis of AF and whether this influences how they feel. These are both things that have been researched in other patients but so far, this has not been looked at in people with Atrial Fibrillation. It may be important because both Type D personality and people’s thoughts about their illness have been shown to be important for people experiencing other health problems.
Why have I been asked?
You have been invited to take part in this study because you have a diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation.
Do I have to take part?
No, taking part in this study is voluntary. You decide whether you would like to take part or not. You can decide to withdraw from the study at any time, without giving a reason. If you withdraw from the study without completing all questionnaires, any information you provided will not be stored or used in the study. However, once all questionnaires have been completed and sent back to the Chief Investigator, the information you provided cannot be withdrawn from the study because there is no way to identify your specific questionnaires. If you decide to not take part, this would not affect the standard of care you receive.
What will happen if I decide to take part?
If you agree to take part, please complete the questionnaire pack that has been sent out with this information sheet. The pack is designed to ask about your individual experiences so there are no right or wrong answers. We are interested in what you have to say. Once you have finished, you can use the stamped-addressed-envelope to post the completed questionnaires back to us. The return of completed questionnaires is taken to imply that you have given your informed consent for the information you have provided to be included in the study.
How long will the study take if I decide to take part?
The study involves people completing the questionnaires on one occasion only. It is estimated that completing the pack should take no longer than 25 minutes.
What are the potential benefits of taking part in this study?
Some people find it useful to think about their experiences and completing the questionnaires may help with this. Although there are no immediate benefits of taking part in the study, the information you provide may be valuable in improving our understanding of the psychological factors that may contribute to quality of life in people with Atrial Fibrillation. It is hoped that this will allow more effective help and treatments to be developed in the future.
What are the potential disadvantages of taking part in this study?
It is not expected that completing the questionnaire pack will be distressing. However, if you do become distressed or have any concerns during or after completion of the questionnaires, these issues can be addressed through contacting myself or your family general practitioner (GP), or through contacting National Mindline on 0808 808 0330.
