Consent to participate in an Online Research Study
This notice is for an AUB-IRB Approved Research Study for a Masters student Maria Rita Lteif at AUB.
*It is not an Official Message from AUB*
You are invited to participate in a research study entitled “E-health Literacy Levels of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Lebanon” conducted by Maria Rita Lteif, Master’s in public Health student from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut under the supervision of the principle investigator Dr Jihad Makhoul, chairperson of the Department of Health Promotion and Community Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB. The conduct of this study will adhere to the IRB approved protocol.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the E-health literacy levels of multiple sclerosis patients in Lebanon and identify the barriers that they face to access accurate high-quality information online. This includes identifying the types of online platforms they use, the frequency of their engagements with these platforms, and their comfort level in navigating digital health environments. The findings from this study could have important implications for health policy and patient education strategies. By understanding the e-health literacy levels and barriers faced by MS patients, healthcare providers, content developers, and policymakers can develop targeted interventions to improve online health information accessibility and reliability.
This message invites you to read the consent document and consider whether you want to be involved in the study.
PROCEDURES
- I am doing this study as part of my studies at AUB
- I will be asking around 350 Multiple sclerosis patients to complete this survey and will use the information as the basis for my course research requirement
- Your participation should take approximately 5-10 minutes.
- Please understand your participation is entirely based on a voluntary basis and you have the right to withdraw your consent or discontinue participation at any time without penalty.
CONFIDENTIALITY
- Your name or other personal identifiers will not be obtained unless you consented to do so. Your privacy will be ensured in that all data resulting from this study will be analyzed and written in aggregate form.
- All codes and data are kept in a locked drawer in a locker room and in a password protected computer that is kept secure.
- Data access is limited to the principal investigator and researcher working directly on this project. All data will be destroyed responsibly after the required retention period (usually three years).
- Your individual privacy and confidentiality of the information you provide will be maintained in all published and written data analysis resulting from the study.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Your participation helps researchers better understand the unique challenges, preferences, and needs of MS patients in Lebanon regarding digital health literacy. This is vital in shaping more effective, accessible, and culturally sensitive online health resources, ultimately enhancing patient care and self-management for MS across diverse communities.
POTENTIAL RISKS
Your participation in this study does not involve any physical risk or emotional risk to you beyond the risks of daily life.
PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL
If you voluntarily consent to take part in this study, you can change your mind and withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind.
Refusal to participate or withdrawal from the study will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and neither will it affect their relationship with their organization and AUB/AUBMC.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY
If you have any questions about the study, you can contact the me at:
Maria Rita Lteif
Phone number: +961 71509441
Email address: msl10@mail.aub.edu
You can also contact the co-principle investigator at:
Ms. Joumana Kalot
Phone number: 00961 -1-350000 or 1 374374, Ext: 4657
Email address: jk52@mail.aub.edu
CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS
If you have questions about your rights as a participant in this research, you can contact the following office at AUB:
Social & Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board
Address: 3rd floor, ACC bldg., AUBMC, Abdul Aziz Street, Beirut, Lebanon
Telephone: 00961 -1-350000 or 1 374374, Ext: 5445
Email: irb@aub.edu.lb
If after reading the consent document and having your questions answered, you voluntarily agree to take part in the study; you can access the survey by clicking next.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
This study welcomes your participation if you meet the following criteria: You must be a diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis patient aged between 18 and 65 years; you must currently reside in Lebanon; and you should be an active user of the internet.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
However, please note that there are certain conditions that may make you ineligible for this study. If you have a visual impairment that limits or prevents the use of electronic screens, or if you possess any mental disability that might impede your understanding of the instructions and survey procedures involved in this study, we regret to inform you that you would not be able to participate.
Your understanding of these eligibility requirements is appreciated, and we thank you for your interest in contributing to this important research.
