Survey on Use of Medical Equipment
(Consent Disclaimer)

Introduction
    Your Participation in the Survey
    Benefits and Risks of Participation
    Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information
    Contact the Researchers
    Technical Assistance
    Getting Started
    LOG IN

Introduction

    Thank you for thinking about being involved in this study. It is being done by Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Accessible Medical Instrumentation. The study is being led by June Isaacson Kailes, Associate Director of Western University's Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions, in Pomona, CA, and Dr. Jill Winters, from Marquette University's College of Nursing in Milwaukee, WI.

Your Participation in the Survey

   The reason we have asked you to complete this survey is we want to learn more about what types of medical equipment you may have found hard to use or you think might present problems for you to use. Later, we will make changes to some equipment, making them easier for people with disabilities to use.

   Information learned from this study may be shared with public or government groups, and/or shared at meetings or in magazines. The information will be shared as opinions received from a group of people with disabilities who completed part or all of the survey. Information will not be linked to anyone who filled out the survey.

   If you finish part or all of this survey, it means you understand how we will use the information you give us and you agree to take part in this study. Doing this survey is voluntary, and you can stop answering questions at any time, without penalty. Your identity will not be shared with anyone, and your answers will not be linked to your name in any way. This site is password protected, so no one other than the researchers will have th access to your information. Your name will not appear anywhere on the data we collect. About 30 people with disabilities will participate in this study.

Benefits and Risks of Participation

    There are no direct personal benefits to you for filling out this survey. It will take about 30 to 90 minutes to finish. Although we don't expect any risks, there is a minimal chance you may get tired when completing the survey. Therefore, if you need to take a break while filling out the survey, simply log out. You may log in as many times as necessary to complete the survey.

Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information

    Completing this survey will involve your protected health information. You will be asked to provide information about your age, current state of health, and types of disability. This information will be stored in a password-protected computer and will only be available to Ms. Kailes, Dr. Winters and the research team. No information will be collected that identifies you or connects you to the data you give us.

   The health information you give us will help us find problems that people with disabilities have with some medical devices, as well as with this survey. Reports will be shared with public that describe the types of people who took part in the survey, and the problems they have had with some medical devices. Your information will be combined with everyone else's data. No information will be shared about individual people. The information will be kept secure until December 31, 2008, when it will be destroyed.

   The private health information you provide may be reviewed by officials, in order to meet federal or state rules. Reviewers may include representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Marquette University Institutional Review Board, and/or the Western University Institutional Review Board.

   You have the right to withdraw your permission/authorization, in writing, at any time. To withdraw, contact Dr. Jill Winters at the address at the bottom of this web page, or by e-mail at jill.winters@marquette.edu, and let her know that you are withdrawing your permission to use your protected health information. All of the health information you have already submitted as part of the study will continue to be used, but no new information about you will be collected.

   You may print a paper copy of these instructions for your records. Returning this survey shows that you agree to have your personal health information shared with the research team and used as described above.

Contact the Researchers

    You may ask questions of the research staff at any time during the study by contacting:

      June Isaacson Kailes
      Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions
      Western University of Health Sciences
      Pomona, CA 91766-1854
      Phone: (310) 821-7080

Technical Assistance

    If you have any difficulty accessing or completing the survey or submitting the completed survey, please contact:

      Jack Winters, Ph.D.
      Email: TA@rerc-ami.org
      Phone: (414) 288-6640

Getting Started

  The purpose of this survey you are filling out is to help us learn about difficulties that some people with disabilities have using some medical equipment, such as devices used for diagnosing and treating medical problems.

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   Thank you for helping us with this very important project!