Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How much time will participating in this study take?
We ask for approximately 10 hours of your time (including the 2 in-person appointments, blood sample, daily questionnaires, and follow up).
2. Where will the two sessions take place? Our locations are at UBC and the Heart and Stroke Foundation Vancouver office (1216 West Broadway). At the moment, we are mainly recruiting participants in metropolitan Vancouver and other areas in the Lower Mainland. We are planning to also recruit in other areas in British Columbia, such as Prince George, the Interior, and Vancouver Island in the second half of this year. Feel free to contact us if you live in any of these areas and are interested in taking part in the study.
3. What’s in it for me?
After participating in our study, you will receive a health feedback letter that includes health measurements you complete with us. Couples participating in the study will be able to keep one tablet between them or they can choose to receive monetary reimbursement for their time.
4. Will the information I provide in the study be kept confidential? Your confidentiality will be respected. However, research records and health or other source records identifying you may be inspected in the presence of the Investigator or his or her designate by representatives of Health Canada and the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board for the purpose of monitoring the research. No information or records that disclose your identity will be published without your consent, nor will any information or records that disclose your identity be removed or released without your consent unless required by law.
You will be assigned a unique study number as a subject in this study. In line with new mandatory open access policies, electronic data will be made available for future use in a way that protects your privacy. By consenting to participate in this study, we confirm that your information will be kept confidential as outlined above. Although the objective is to maintain confidentiality, it cannot be guaranteed
5. I’ve never used a tablet computer before – will this be a problem?
Not at all. During your first in-person appointment with us, we spend as much time as you need to make sure you feel comfortable using it.
6. Does it matter when I had the stroke? No. You are eligible to participate in the study as long as you have had a stroke. It does not matter whether you had the stroke one month ago or five years ago.
7. What happens if I begin participation, but then decide to withdraw from the study?
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw from this study at any time without giving reasons.
8. What are the possible harms and side effects of participating? There are no known harms associated with participating in this study. We will ask questions about your psychological health and the quality of your relationship with your spouse that have no right or wrong answers to them. There may be a mild pain and/or bruising at the site of the blood draw. There also may be light-headedness and/or fainting, and the rare possibility of infection as further side effects of blood draws.
9. My friends are also interested in participating – can we do the study together?
We are happy to coordinate timing so that two couples can come in at the same time. We would however, set up your appointments to take place in separate rooms.
10. Do you expect me to disclose any relationship secrets?
No. This study aims to better understand the everyday behaviours and activities that couples engage in during a typical week.
11. UBC is quite a commute for me – can we meet somewhere else?
We will also be offering appointments at select sites in the community to make participation as easy as possible for you. Give us a call and we will try to arrange something that works for you.
Are there any questions we have not covered on the website? Please give us a call at 604-822-3549 or write us an email at pulse@psych.ubc.ca and we would love to answer those questions for you.