Appendix B Battelle Phone Script rev 10-30-06

Appendix B

“Biologic Sample Collection Discussion Groups”

Telephone Script – Initial Contact - Battelle

Atlanta Center

Hello, may I please speak with <Mother’s first and last name>?

NO. Leave message with another person (see next page)

YES. My name is <caller name> with Battelle and I am calling for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. You may remember completing a telephone interview for our study that has helped us to understand why 1 in 33 babies are born with birth defects. We are thankful for the information you provided.

You may also remember that you were sent a cheek cell sample kit to complete for your family including your child, <child’s name>. How old is <child’s name> now? (If deceased, thank them for their time and effort.)

We are interested in what you thought about the cheek cell sample kit and the collection process. We are going to hold group discussions with mothers to listen to their ideas about the kit. You have an opportunity to provide valuable input that may improve the study. We would like to invite you to be part of the group discussions.

You don’t have to make a decision right now but I would like to get your permission to send you information about these discussions so you can think about whether you’d like to participate or not. The information will include a form that can be returned to us if you decide not to participate. If we don’t get a form from you, we’ll call you to confirm your interest in participating and schedule you for a group discussion at a time that is convenient for you.

May I have your permission to share your name, address, and phone numbers with the team that is sending the invitations and who is scheduling the group discussions?

NO. Thank you for your time. You have already helped us to better understand the causes of some birth defects by completing the telephone interview.

<Attached Address Correction Form>

YES. Thank you. Can I make sure we have your correct address?

<Attached Address Correction Form>

We will mail you a letter in the next few days that will give you more information about being part of the group discussion. If you decide after reading the letter that you do not want to be part of the discussion there is a form you can fill out and return. If we receive your form, we

will not contact you again. We hope you will be part of the discussion and give us your ideas about the cheek cell sample kit and the collection process. We will call to schedule your discussion time two weeks after you receive the letter if we have not heard from you. Thank you again for your time and effort.

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Message for answering machine:

My name is <caller name> with Battelle. I am calling <Mother’s first and last name> about a children’s health study she participated in. She can call me toll-free at 1-877-719-2027. I will also try calling her again.

Message left with another person:

My name is <caller name> with Battelle. I am calling <mother’s name> about a children’s health study she participated in. We are doing a follow-up study and would like to know if she is interested in participating. Can I give you a number where she can reach me?

YES. She may call me toll-free at 1-877-719-2027. I’ll also try calling her again. When would be a good time to call her?

<Attached Address Correction Form>

NO. I will try calling her again. When would be a good time to call her?

<Attached Address Correction Form>

Focus Group Discussions

Atlanta Center NBDPS

ADDRESS CORRECTION FORM

USE THE FOLLOWING FOR NOTES. THEN RECORD UPDATED INFORMATION IN TRACKING SYSTEM.

MOTHER’S NAME _____________________________________________________

CORRECTED ADDRESS—MOTHER:

STREET: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

CITY: _______________________________________________

STATE: _______________________ ZIP CODE: ___________

MOTHER GIVES PERMISSION TO RELEASE CONTACT INFORMATION?

YES___________ NO ___________

BETTER TIME TO CALL MOTHER _____________________________________

BETTER PHONE NUMBER FOR MOTHER (Cell) ___________________________

______________________________