Participant Information Sheet

Project ID: 44951
Project title: Understanding the perspectives and preferences of adults with asthma related to respiratory inhalers
Chief investigators name: Dr Sean Docking, Dr Kristen Pickles, Dr Luise Kazda
Musculoskeletal Health and Wiser Health Care Units
Email: sean.docking@monash.edu

You are invited to take part in this study. Please read this Explanatory Statement in full before deciding whether or not to participate in this research. If you would like further information regarding any aspect of this project, you are encouraged to contact the researchers via the phone numbers or email addresses listed above.

What does the research involve?
This study aims to investigate people’s knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards respiratory inhalers as well as perceived barriers and facilitators towards evidence-based care that is environmentally sustainable.

This study will be conducted as a one-to-one telephone or virtual (Zoom, Teams) interview which will take place at a time convenient for you, with a researcher from the University of Sydney. The interview (should you choose to participate) will be audio recorded and transcribed (typed out). You will be asked to share your personal experiences, thoughts, and opinions on the topic. The interview will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete. You do not need to do any preparation before the interview.

You will also be asked to complete a short (< 5 minutes) online survey prior to participating in the interview. The purpose of the survey is to record information about you such as your age and location, and information about your asthma such as when you were diagnosed with asthma and your past and current inhaler use.

Why were you invited for this research?
You are invited to take part in this study because you are registered on the Asthma Australia and/or Healthcare Consumers Australia Association mailing list, have been diagnosed with asthma and are a current (within last 6 months) and regular (at least once a month) user of one or more types of respiratory inhalers.

Interview participants should have adequate English language skills as we do not have access to interpreting services in this study.

Source of funding
This study is a special initiative strategic project funded by the Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Innovation Fund. The HEAL National Research Network receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change (Grant No. 2008937).

Consenting to participate in the project and withdrawing from the research
Being in this study is completely voluntary and you do not have to take part. Your decision will not affect your current or future relationship with the study researchers or anyone else at their research institutions.

If you decide to take part in the study, you will be directed to an online form to provide your consent to participate in an interview.

If you decide to take part in the study and then change your mind you can withdraw at any time by letting one of the study investigators know. There will be no consequences of withdrawal from the study. You can do this by contacting us via phone on +61 (0)2 9351 2064 or email at kristen.pickles@sydney.edu.au

If you take part in an interview you may refuse to answer any questions that you do not wish to answer or stop the interview at any time.

If you choose to withdraw, we will not collect any more information from you. The audio recordings will be stopped, and any recorded data deleted should you choose to stop participating.

Possible benefits and risks to participants
There is no foreseeable risk of potential harm to you participating in this study. If you experience any anxiety or distress during the interview, you are welcome to stop at any time or not answer any questions. Additionally, we encourage you to reach out for psychological support with Lifeline Australia helpline (13 11 14, Lifeline.org.au) or Beyond Blue Support Services (1300 22 4636, beyondblue.org.au). You may also wish to contact your GP or respiratory care physician should the interview raise any medical concerns.

This is a low-risk project. Aside from giving up your time, we do not expect that there will be any risks, nor are you expected to incur any costs associated with taking part in this study.

Your confidentiality and anonymity will be protected. Your consent form contains some identifying information and will be kept on a password protected server at Monash University. These consent forms will not be linked in any way to the interview data, and it will not be possible to connect anything you say in the interview to your identity. Audio files and transcripts will also be kept on a password protected server.

You will not receive any direct benefits from being in the study. However, our experience in similar work has shown that many participants value the opportunity to contribute to research that may have a positive effect on the provision of healthcare services.

Payment
You will be offered a $50 online gift voucher for taking the time to participate in this study.

Confidentiality
By providing your consent, you are agreeing to us collecting information about you for the purposes of this study. Your information will only be used for the purposes outlined in this Explanatory Statement unless you consent otherwise. Any information you provide us will be stored securely and will be kept strictly confidential, as required by law. Study findings will be published in academic publications and communicated in conference presentations, but you will not be individually identifiable in these publications. An ID number, rather than your name, will be used to identify audio recordings and transcripts.

Storage of data
Information will be stored on password-protected servers at Monash University and will only be accessible to study investigators. Research data will be kept for five years following the completion of the study. It will then be destroyed.

Results
Results of this study will be published as a manuscript in an academic journal after the study is finished. If you would like to be informed when the article is available, then you can indicate your interest on the consent form and provide your contact details.

Complaints
Should you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of the project, you are welcome to contact the Executive Officer, Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC):

Executive Officer Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC)
Room 111, Chancellery Building D
26 Sports Walk, Clayton Campus
Research Office
Monash University VIC 3800
Tel: +61 3 9905 2052
Email: muhrec@monash.edu
Fax: +61 3 9905 3831

Here is a link to the explanatory statement if you wish to download it.

Clicking next will take to the consent form.

Thank you
Sean Docking
On behalf of co-investigators Dr Kristen Pickles and Dr Luise Kazda