If you prefer to read this information sheet as part of doing the survey you can go directly to the survey.
You are invited to complete this survey about video and phone use in general practice by sharing your experiences and ideas about using telehealth. Your answers will help to improve the way that telehealth is used in the future. No personal health information is sought. Please read this Information Sheet and click ‘Next’ at the end of this page to go to the next page.
What is this research about and what will it involve?
Since the Covid–19 lockdown (started on 23 March 2020), there has been a significant change to how consumers could see a doctor or nurse, with phone or video calls for consultations becoming the main method (in alert levels 3 and 4). This research aims to answer the overarching question, “What is the experience of telehealth and how can this mode of care delivery be sustained over time?” We will also invite consumers to complete a different survey about their experiences.
We are seeking information from you about how video and phone calls with consumers (your patients) at the general practice or clinic have worked out for you since the Covid–19 lockdown started until now. With the information you give us we will better understand what has worked well and what can be improved. This gives us real experiences to help guide services and government about the way things should work to get the best outcomes for health providers, consumers and whanau.
Your participation in this research involves completing a survey which should take you less than 15 minutes, and does not need to be completed in one sitting. Completion of the survey may involve data charges on your device (phone, tablet, desk top computer or laptop), depending on how you access it.
Some terms that we use
- When we talk about “general practice”, we mean the clinic, or rooms, or medical centre, or practice, where you see your patients.
- When we talk about a “general practitioner” (GP), we are referring to a family doctor or local doctor.
- When we talk about a “nurse practitioner”, we mean a nurse with advanced qualifications who may make a diagnosis or prescribe treatment.
- When we talk about a “registered nurse” we mean any nurse at the practice, who is not a nurse practitioner.
- We will call both appointments and walk-ins, a “consultation”.
Who can take part?
Anyone can take part as long as you
- Are older than 18 years
- Have had at least one telehealth consultation with your with a patient since 23 March, 2020
- Are able to understand English well enough to complete the survey
- Currently reside in Aotearoa/New Zealand
- Are able to confirm that you have understood what the study is about and agree to participate.
Your rights
You are under no obligation to accept this invitation, i.e. your participation is voluntary. If you decide to participate, you have the right to
- Not answer some questions.
- Withdraw from the study any time before completing the survey. Once you have pressed “submit”, your anonymous answers cannot be traced or removed.
- Ask any questions about the study, using the contact details at the end of this sheet.
- Provide information on the understanding that your name will not be used unless you give permission to the researcher. This survey is anonymous (we will not know your name), so we will not be able to attach your name to it.
- Be given a summary of the project findings when it is concluded.
Benefits and risks
Participating may give you insights into your experience of video or phone consultations that may allow you to meet your needs better in future consultations. We aim to use the survey results to improve video and phone consultations by changing the way that health practitioners use these tools for consultations. It is not anticipated that you would experience any discomfort or risks by taking part in this survey, but if you do feel any distress, please contact your health provider.
Survey data
Data will be collected and stored securely in a survey system, Qualtrics, which is based in the University of Auckland’s secure computer system. Excel spreadsheets will be created from the data and stored in a password protected drive. The anonymous survey data will only be accessed by research team members who will present versions of the data in journal publications, presentations and guidelines.
Please contact Dr Karen Day email: k.day@auckland.ac.nz if you wish to see a summary report of the analysed data.
Concerns and questions
If you have concerns or questions about the study, please contact the principal investigators: Dr Karen Day email: k.day@auckland.ac.nz, phone +64 9 923 3870 or Associate Professor Dr Inga Hunter email: I.Hunter@massey.ac.nz, phone: +64 6 356 9099 extn 84913
For any ethical concerns, you can contact the Chair of the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee at ahrec@auckland.ac.nz or at 373 7599 ext 83711, or at Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142.
The research team
This project is being led by a group of researchers from Massey University and the University of Auckland with the support of the New Zealand New Zealand Telehealth Leadership Group (NZTLG).
Principal investigators
Dr Karen Day, University of Auckland and Associate Professor Dr Inga Hunter, Massey University
Named Investigators (in alphabetical order)
Dr Emily Gill, University of Auckland; Dr Fiona Moir, University of Auckland; Dr Vasudha Rao, Massey University; Dr Rachel Roskvist, University of Auckland; Dr Greig Russell, MidCentral District Health Board; Mr Bert van der Werf, University of Auckland.
Approved by The Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC) on 13 November 2020 for three years. Reference number: AH2539
Endorsed by the New Zealand Telehealth Leadership Forum
Day by Day 