PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
Title of Project: Examining the impact of prescribing medications on the role identity of physiotherapists – A mixed methods study
Name of Researcher (s):
Colin Waldock, Dr T Thomas, Dr J Macinnes, Prof B Singh
You are being invited to take part in a study because you are a Physiotherapist who has been qualified for at least 6 months and are registered with the HCPC and/or you are studying for a pre-registration qualification in physiotherapy (BSc or MSc). Before you decide if you want to take part, you must understand why the study is being done and what it involves. Please take time to read the following information. Ask if anything is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide if you want to take part or not.
Why is the study being done?
There is a lack of published literature regarding the impact non-medical prescribing has had on the healthcare professions involved within the project. Despite the ability of Physiotherapists to gain qualifications in supplementary prescribing since 2005 and independent prescribing since 2013. Currently approximately only 3% of qualified Physiotherapists have a non-medical prescribing qualification. This study has sought to explore how the role identity of physiotherapists is viewed by a range of stakeholders and if this view has changed, is changing or has potential to change as a result of the introduction of non-medical prescribing. In phase i) we explored the perception of the role identity of physiotherapists and explored the role of non-medical prescribing in physiotherapy of a group of ‘thought leaders’ and influencers within the profession. In phase ii) we developed this further by listening to the views of the public about the role of physiotherapists and in particular their perceptions of them as prescribers. Subsequently in phase iii) we sought to build on theories gained from these initial interviews with perceptions among physiotherapists (prescribers and non-prescribers) to further explore the role identity of physiotherapists.
This part of the study, phase iv), aims to investigate the perception of the role identity of physiotherapists by administering an online questionnaire to the wider profession leading to generation of a theory of a physiotherapy role identity including how the role identity responds to change
Do I have to take part?
No. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. Even if you agree to take part, you can change your mind at any time without giving any reason. If you decide not to take part in the study, you will not be affected in any way.
If I do take part, what would I have to do and what would be done to me?
In this study, we want physiotherapists to share their views and experience of medicines by completion of an online questionnaire which has been formulated by a small expert panel and piloted with physiotherapists. The questionnaire should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.
If you decide to take part, you just need to click on the link in the invite that accompanies this information sheet. The first part of the questionnaire will confirm your consent to participate. You will be asked a few questions about yourself e.g. your gender, how long you have been qualified as a physiotherapist etc, however the questionnaire will not ask for your name and there will be no personally identifiable information in the questionnaire. Your name will not be associated with any of the data generated. The information you give will be treated as confidential and no personally identifiable data will be stored or recorded at any time. Your name will not appear in any aspect of the report.
Are there any risks if I take part?
There are no risks to taking part in the study
Are there any benefits if I take part?
The participants will be able to have a small role to potentially influence the development of physiotherapy prescribing. There will be an incentive for participants who undertake the online survey – A winner will be drawn from the qualified physiotherapist group and another from the student physiotherapist group at random. These people will each receive a £50 Amazon voucher.
Will anyone know that I’ve taken part?
We will not tell anyone that you have taken part in the study
What will happen to the results?
The findings will be published in peer reviewed journals and presented at conferences. Your name will not appear in any publications. Anonymised data may be used for future work e.g. post doctoral research.
All data will be held securely in lockable filing cabinets and using laptops and portable memory devices that are password protected with up to date virus software installed. No identifiable data will be stored on laptops or university computers. Hard copies of consent forms will be kept for 5 years in a locked cabinet to which only the researcher has access. At the end of this time they will be shredded.
Participants will be offered a summary of the results via a summary posted on the study website https://cwaldock-551.wixsite.com. Data for the study will be held securely for 5 years after the cessation of the project and then sent to a secure storage facility.
Who is Organising and Funding the study?
This study is being carried out by Colin Waldock in part fulfilment of a PhD at Medway School of Pharmacy. It is being funded by a studentship from Medway School of Pharmacy (Universities of Kent and Greenwich)
Who should I contact if I want to know more about the study?
Dr Trudy Thomas t.thomas@kent.ac.uk
Colin Waldock c.waldock-551@kent.ac.uk
Who should I contact if I have any concerns about the study or the way it has been conducted?
If you have concerns about how this research study has been conducted please contact the Chair of the MSoP Research Ethics Committee on S.A.Corlett@kent.ac.uk
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Privacy notice for research – University-level
The University of Kent uses personally-identifiable information to conduct research, including to improve health, care and services. As a publicly-funded organisation, we have to ensure that we use and safeguard your data according to the law. You can find more information or contact The University of Kent’s Data Protection Officer at: https://www.kent.ac.uk/infocompliance/dp/staff-info/staff-info.html
Thank you for taking time to consider taking part in this study.
This project has been looked at and approved by the MSoP Research Ethics Committee