This study is complete.
Results can be found under the findings tab.
Results can be found under the findings tab.
INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS
This is an invitation to take part in a research project called “Understanding How Primary Healthcare Services Are Delivered to 2SLGBTQ Populations in Nova Scotia Using Constructivist Grounded Theory”. This study is being done by Jennifer Lane, a PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is a doctoral research project and Dr. Ingrid Waldron is supervising the study. The information below tells you about the research and what you would be asked to do if you decide to accept this invitation to participate. It also tells you about benefits, risks, inconveniences, or discomforts you might expect to experience. Taking part in the research is entirely your choice and you can decide to leave the study at any time without the need to provide a reason.
Why is there a need for this study?
This project is informed by the researcher’s lived experience as a registered nurse and Lesbian who recognizes that there is a lack of information regarding education for healthcare professionals to interact positively and decrease stigma for 2SLGBTQ populations. The purpose of the research is to explore health services as they relate to the health needs of 2SLGBTQ health service users. This study is important to understand what information is needed to develop better training for health service providers and enhance the experiences of 2SLGBTQ populations within the NS healthcare system.
How long will I be in the study?
The length of this study for participants is about 6 months from the time of recruitment to the end of data collection. The entire study is expected to take about one year and the results should be known in 18 months.
How many people will take part in this study?
About 30 people are participating in this study throughout Nova Scotia.
How is the study being done?
This study is collecting and analyzing data by interviewing participants to explore how primary healthcare services are delivered to 2SLGBTQ populations. Using a research method called Constructivist Grounded Theory, participants are being interviewed to understand how stigma influences health service delivery. Comparisons between interviews are being made to find similarities and differences. Data that is similar will be clustered together. Data that is dissimilar will require further exploration with participants, which is why follow-up interviews are discussed below and part of the informed consent process. Data analysis will continue until a theoretical explanation comes about for how primary healthcare services are currently being delivered to 2SLGBTQ populations in Nova Scotia.
What will happen if I take part in this study?
Should you agree to participate and meet the eligibility requirements, you will be contacted to arrange an interview using an online platform, called Zoom. If you do not have internet access, interviews can be arranged over the telephone. The interview will take up to 90 minutes and will be audio recorded. Participants who are health service providers and identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ communities may have lengthier interviews because they might be asked more questions in an attempt to capture the range of perspective they bring to the study. You may stop the interview at any time or choose not to answer any questions. If you stop, you will be asked whether the data you have already provided may be used in the study. You may contact us up to one month after your interview to withdraw from the study. After that, it will be impossible to remove your information from analyses. Simply contact the lead researcher (above) and ask to have your interview deleted if it is within the one-month timeframe described above. Follow-up questions may be required, so there may be additional phone calls to discuss something in more detail while data is still being collected. You are not required to consent to follow up questions.
To understand how primary healthcare services are delivered to 2SLGBTQ health service users, those who are health service providers will be asked to discuss the formal education and training they receive(d) on 2SLGBTQ health issues, what you know about the health needs of 2SLGBTQ populations, and to reflect on and examine the ways in which you address 2SLGBTQ health needs. Participants who are 2SLGBTQ-identified may or may not be health service providers. Those who are, will be interviewed as just described, but will be asked additional questions that will also be used in interviews with health service users. Health service user participants who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ communities, but are not health service providers, will be asked about access to primary healthcare services, what inclusive practices might look like to them, invited to make recommendations on formal training for health service providers, and suggestions on how health services might be changed for the better. You may also be asked to comment on preliminary data that has been collected from other participants.
Are there risks to the study?
This study is consistent with what is defined as minimal risk research, but it is important to consider the possible harms that might result from participating in this study. Risks for health service provider participants include experiencing discomfort when discussing the conditions under which health services are delivered to 2SLGBTQ populations due to a lack of training on 2SLGBTQ health issues. Risks for 2SLGBTQ participants include being reminded of negative experiences from their past, which could trigger trauma or discomfort and place some individuals’ mental health at a moderate risk. If the interview elicits negative emotions, a list of mental health professionals can be provided at your request.
The biggest risk to you is your privacy. Several steps to safeguard the confidentiality of your information are being taken. Protecting your privacy is an important part of this study. Every effort to protect your privacy will be made. If the results of this study are presented to the public, nobody will be able to tell that you were in the study.
More information about privacy and confidentiality are available upon request and/or will be discussed as part of the informed consent process.
Are there benefits of participating in this study?
There are no direct benefits to participants; however, the aim of this study is to bring about broader benefits by changing the ways that healthcare professionals think about providing health services to 2SLGBTQ populations.
What Happens at the End of the Study?
The study results will be shared with you when the requirements of the researcher’s PhD are complete, which is estimated to be by the end of 2021. A report of the findings will be sent to each participant, but you are welcome to contact the researcher by email or phone at any time should you have any questions, concerns, or otherwise in the meantime. If you decide not to take part or if you leave the study early, you are still welcome to contact the researcher for the results when they are available.
What Are My Responsibilities?
As a study participant you will be expected to:
Can My Participation in this Study End Early?
Yes. If you chose to participate and later change your mind, you can say no and stop the research at any time. If you wish to withdraw your consent please inform the research team. After a month, your interview data will become part of the analysis and impossible to remove from group results, but all your data will be permanently deleted with the help of an IT professional.
What About New Information?
You will be told about any other new information that might affect your willingness to stay in the study and will be asked whether you wish to continue taking part in the study or not.
Will It Cost Me Anything?
There are no out-of-pocket expenses required to participate in this study.
Compensation
A token of appreciation will be offered to those who participate in the study. If you wish to withdraw from the study and have already received the token of appreciation, you will not be expected to return it.
Research Related Injury
If you become ill or injured as a direct result of participating in this study, necessary medical treatment will be available at no additional cost to you. Your signature on this form only indicates that you have understood to your satisfaction the information regarding your participation in the study and agree to participate as a subject. In no way does this waive your legal rights nor release the principal investigator, the research staff, the study sponsor or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities.
What Are My Rights?
You have the right to all information that could help you make a decision about participating in this study. You also have the right to ask questions about this study and your rights as a research participant, and to have them answered to your satisfaction before you make any decision. You also have the right to ask questions and to receive answers throughout this study. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, and/or concerns or complaints about this research study, you can contact the Nova Scotia Health Authority Research Ethics Board manager at 902-473-8426 or Patient Relations at (902) 473-2133 or 1-855-799-0990 or healthcareexperience@nshealth.ca.
Why is there a need for this study?
This project is informed by the researcher’s lived experience as a registered nurse and Lesbian who recognizes that there is a lack of information regarding education for healthcare professionals to interact positively and decrease stigma for 2SLGBTQ populations. The purpose of the research is to explore health services as they relate to the health needs of 2SLGBTQ health service users. This study is important to understand what information is needed to develop better training for health service providers and enhance the experiences of 2SLGBTQ populations within the NS healthcare system.
How long will I be in the study?
The length of this study for participants is about 6 months from the time of recruitment to the end of data collection. The entire study is expected to take about one year and the results should be known in 18 months.
How many people will take part in this study?
About 30 people are participating in this study throughout Nova Scotia.
How is the study being done?
This study is collecting and analyzing data by interviewing participants to explore how primary healthcare services are delivered to 2SLGBTQ populations. Using a research method called Constructivist Grounded Theory, participants are being interviewed to understand how stigma influences health service delivery. Comparisons between interviews are being made to find similarities and differences. Data that is similar will be clustered together. Data that is dissimilar will require further exploration with participants, which is why follow-up interviews are discussed below and part of the informed consent process. Data analysis will continue until a theoretical explanation comes about for how primary healthcare services are currently being delivered to 2SLGBTQ populations in Nova Scotia.
What will happen if I take part in this study?
Should you agree to participate and meet the eligibility requirements, you will be contacted to arrange an interview using an online platform, called Zoom. If you do not have internet access, interviews can be arranged over the telephone. The interview will take up to 90 minutes and will be audio recorded. Participants who are health service providers and identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ communities may have lengthier interviews because they might be asked more questions in an attempt to capture the range of perspective they bring to the study. You may stop the interview at any time or choose not to answer any questions. If you stop, you will be asked whether the data you have already provided may be used in the study. You may contact us up to one month after your interview to withdraw from the study. After that, it will be impossible to remove your information from analyses. Simply contact the lead researcher (above) and ask to have your interview deleted if it is within the one-month timeframe described above. Follow-up questions may be required, so there may be additional phone calls to discuss something in more detail while data is still being collected. You are not required to consent to follow up questions.
To understand how primary healthcare services are delivered to 2SLGBTQ health service users, those who are health service providers will be asked to discuss the formal education and training they receive(d) on 2SLGBTQ health issues, what you know about the health needs of 2SLGBTQ populations, and to reflect on and examine the ways in which you address 2SLGBTQ health needs. Participants who are 2SLGBTQ-identified may or may not be health service providers. Those who are, will be interviewed as just described, but will be asked additional questions that will also be used in interviews with health service users. Health service user participants who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ communities, but are not health service providers, will be asked about access to primary healthcare services, what inclusive practices might look like to them, invited to make recommendations on formal training for health service providers, and suggestions on how health services might be changed for the better. You may also be asked to comment on preliminary data that has been collected from other participants.
Are there risks to the study?
This study is consistent with what is defined as minimal risk research, but it is important to consider the possible harms that might result from participating in this study. Risks for health service provider participants include experiencing discomfort when discussing the conditions under which health services are delivered to 2SLGBTQ populations due to a lack of training on 2SLGBTQ health issues. Risks for 2SLGBTQ participants include being reminded of negative experiences from their past, which could trigger trauma or discomfort and place some individuals’ mental health at a moderate risk. If the interview elicits negative emotions, a list of mental health professionals can be provided at your request.
The biggest risk to you is your privacy. Several steps to safeguard the confidentiality of your information are being taken. Protecting your privacy is an important part of this study. Every effort to protect your privacy will be made. If the results of this study are presented to the public, nobody will be able to tell that you were in the study.
More information about privacy and confidentiality are available upon request and/or will be discussed as part of the informed consent process.
Are there benefits of participating in this study?
There are no direct benefits to participants; however, the aim of this study is to bring about broader benefits by changing the ways that healthcare professionals think about providing health services to 2SLGBTQ populations.
What Happens at the End of the Study?
The study results will be shared with you when the requirements of the researcher’s PhD are complete, which is estimated to be by the end of 2021. A report of the findings will be sent to each participant, but you are welcome to contact the researcher by email or phone at any time should you have any questions, concerns, or otherwise in the meantime. If you decide not to take part or if you leave the study early, you are still welcome to contact the researcher for the results when they are available.
What Are My Responsibilities?
As a study participant you will be expected to:
- Be available for an interview
- Respond to questions that are asked during the interview and as follow-up if consent was obtained to do so
- Be truthful in the information that you provide
- Report any problems, distress, or discomfort that you may experience either at the time of interview or afterwards
- Report the desire to leave the study or any limitations on your participation (such as a desire to not answer questions or be contacted for follow-up after the initial interview) freely and without concern
Can My Participation in this Study End Early?
Yes. If you chose to participate and later change your mind, you can say no and stop the research at any time. If you wish to withdraw your consent please inform the research team. After a month, your interview data will become part of the analysis and impossible to remove from group results, but all your data will be permanently deleted with the help of an IT professional.
What About New Information?
You will be told about any other new information that might affect your willingness to stay in the study and will be asked whether you wish to continue taking part in the study or not.
Will It Cost Me Anything?
There are no out-of-pocket expenses required to participate in this study.
Compensation
A token of appreciation will be offered to those who participate in the study. If you wish to withdraw from the study and have already received the token of appreciation, you will not be expected to return it.
Research Related Injury
If you become ill or injured as a direct result of participating in this study, necessary medical treatment will be available at no additional cost to you. Your signature on this form only indicates that you have understood to your satisfaction the information regarding your participation in the study and agree to participate as a subject. In no way does this waive your legal rights nor release the principal investigator, the research staff, the study sponsor or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities.
What Are My Rights?
You have the right to all information that could help you make a decision about participating in this study. You also have the right to ask questions about this study and your rights as a research participant, and to have them answered to your satisfaction before you make any decision. You also have the right to ask questions and to receive answers throughout this study. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, and/or concerns or complaints about this research study, you can contact the Nova Scotia Health Authority Research Ethics Board manager at 902-473-8426 or Patient Relations at (902) 473-2133 or 1-855-799-0990 or healthcareexperience@nshealth.ca.
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