Appendix B.

Participant information sheet

(On SHSC [Porterbrook Clinic] headed paper)

ID number

What impact did the teaching of the sexual medicine module have on your clinical practice?

You are being invited to take part in a research study. This study is being undertaken for educational purposes as part of ongoing research into the impact of the sexual medicine module on clinical practice. The module was a compulsory part of the 6-year MBChB course.

Before you decide to participate, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether you wish to take part. Thank you for reading this.

What is this research about?

The aim of this study is to explore the views of doctors regarding the impact of the teaching of the sexual medicine module on their clinical practice. This will help us identify the current value of the teaching and understand whether the knowledge gained makes a difference or impact on their clinical practice. We want to know what impact there is, if any, on their values and attitudes to the sexual difficulties of their patients and whether the teaching improved their confidence in addressing their patients' concerns. We want to know whether they incorporate routine sexual health enquiry in their clinical practice. We want to know whether raising awareness of sexual dysfunction and its impact on patients’ and their intimate relationships with others makes any difference to the type of health enquiry they make. This will enable us to target and improve education provision and thereby improve services and support for patients with sexual dysfunction.

Why have I been chosen?

You have been invited to take part in this study because you are a former medical student from the intake year of 2000 whose contact details are recorded in the alumni office at the University of Sheffield. Your name and contact details were obtained from your record at the alumni office.

Do I have to take part?

Taking part in the research is entirely voluntary. If you do not wish to participate, please return the blank questionnaire in the freepost envelope enclosed. This will ensure that we do not contact you again with regard to participation in this survey.

What do I have to do?

Taking part involves completing the enclosed questionnaire. This should take no more than 20 minutes. Most of the questions ask you to tick the box which best describes your clinical practice or how you feel about the issues; extra space is also provided for you to add further comment.

Are there any benefits in my participation?

You could experience some personal benefit through reflection on your views and practice; however, the overall aim of the study is to gain greater insight into the barriers and opportunities for supporting service provision for patients with sexual dysfunction. The information we obtain from this study might help us to identify improvements to the module and treat future patients with sexual dysfunction better.

Will my participation be confidential?

If you join the study, all the data will be stored securely and will be made available for analysis only to the authorized persons involved in the study. These authorized persons have the duty of confidentiality to you as a research participant and nothing that could reveal your identity will be disclosed outside the research site or transferred outside the United Kingdom.

What happens if I change my mind?

Completion and return of the questionnaire will be taken as your consent to participate in this study and your participation is voluntary. All participants have the right to check for the accuracy of data held about them and correct any errors. Each questionnaire has a unique identifier on the top right-hand side of the first sheet, allowing us to track responses; this is the same as the number at the top of this Participant Information Sheet. This will enable you to change or withdraw your participation at any time without giving a reason. Your legal rights will not be affected.

How long will you keep the data and will they be used for anything else?

It is anticipated that there could be extended analysis of the data beyond the scope of this project. The questionnaires will be kept for 12 months after the submission of the final report and anonymized electronic data files will be kept for 10 years after submission.

Where can I get more information?

If you have further questions about the study, please contact Mary Clegg (01264-358853; E-mail: mary@maryclegg.co.uk), Jo Pye (E-mail: mdb08jp@sheffield.ac.uk), or Professor Kevan Wylie (E-mail: k.r.wylie@sheffield.ac.uk).

What happens if I have a complaint?

If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, you should ask to speak to one of the researchers and we will do our best to answer your questions. If you have questions about your rights as a participant in this research, or if you feel that you have been placed at any risk, you can contact Prof. Dr. Kevan R. Wylie, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Porterbrook Clinic, 75 Osborne Road, Nether Edge, Sheffield, S11 9BF, or telephone 0114 271 6671. If you still have concerns, please write to the Complaints and Litigation Department, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Fulwood House, Old Fulwood Road, Sheffield S103TH.

What do I do after I have posted the questionnaire back to you?

The Participant Information Sheet is yours to keep for future reference. Refer to the unique identifier in the top right-hand side of the sheet if you need to contact us.

Will you let me know the results?

The findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and you will be informed when it is published.

Who has reviewed the study?

Scientific and Lay Review Panels of Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust.