N44DA-9-2214-Attachment4InitialContact_July2010

Attachment 4: Initial Contact Email/Participant Information

Online Skills Training for PCPs on Substance Abuse (NIDA)

January 2011

INITIAL CONTACT EMAIL/PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

O
nline Skills Training for PCPs on Substance Abuse

Summative Evaluation Participant Information

National Institute on Drug Abuse contract No. HHSN271200800038C

Dear Dr. $last name$,

Thank you for filling out the eligibility questions for participation in the study evaluating the SBIRTTraining.com training program; we are happy to invite you to participate in this summative evaluation. This document provides further information about the study. If interested in participating after reviewing this document, sign, and return to signify your consent.

This study will be conducted over a 12-week period. During the first 6 weeks, participants will complete four web-based courses related to SBIRT, and two assessments that will also be completed online. After an additional 6 week period, participants will complete a third assessment. The courses take an hour to complete for a total of 4 hours of coursework. The assessments take approximately 45 minutes for a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes for all three assessments. All together, course time plus assessment time is expected to take 6 hours and 15 minutes.

A portion of the assessments involve an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in which you will interview a standardized patient (SP) via online chat. The OSCE will be scheduled at your convenience between 9 am and 4 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Participants will be supplied a link to the case at the scheduled time. They will review the case for a few minutes and then signal the SP that they are ready to begin the interview via online chat. The interview portion of the clinical skill assessment will take place during a 10 to 20 minute interaction with a simulated, standardized patient. After the chat, you will be given feedback, both via chat and a follow-up email, based on performance, and you will be asked to complete an assessment instrument that will include questions on clinical documentation (SOAP note), knowledge, interpersonal skills, and attitude. The entire OSCE will take 15 to 30 minutes and the total time for the assessment procedure will take approximately 45 minutes.

All participants will be paid $75 upon enrollment in the study and completion of the first assessment, and $75 for the assessment following completion of the training, and $75 for completion of the follow-up assessment 6 weeks following completion of the training. Therefore, the total amount paid to study participants who complete all six lessons and provide feedback will be $225. Participants will be paid only for assessments that are completed. Participants can elect to stop participation at any time without prejudice.

In addition to monetary compensation, the personal benefits include increased understanding about issues associated with substance abuse assessment and treatment. Physicians will become more comfortable assessing patients for substance use disorders and performing brief interventions.

We appreciate your willingness to help with this project and look forward to talking to you. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Please [digitally] sign the statement “I have read this information for participants and want to participate in this study” and date below. Returning this document via email with your name typed in below this statement will indicate that you voluntarily agree to participate in this evaluation and that you understand what it entails. It also indicates that you are a primary care physician.

Sincerely,
Meghan Coulehan
Evaluation Coordinator, Clinical Tools, Inc.

T. Bradley Tanner
Principal Investigator

Note: Online Skills Training for PCPs on Substance Abuse is funded by a contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse #HHSN271200800038C. This research was reviewed by the Clinical Tools IRB (FWA00002873) and determined to be exempt from IRB oversight. Clinical Tools, Inc. is a physician-owned, multimedia company headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clinical Tools combines expertise in healthcare content and computer application development to provide Internet-based education and information for professionals and consumers.

I have read this information for participants and want to participate in this study.

[Please enter your name and the date and return to [email protected]]

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