Research for comparison of breast cancer patients’ perceptions and experiences of private and public health systems in New Zealand is underway.
Masters student Kim Dobson from Victoria University of Wellington is undertaking which is exploring Breast Cancer patients’ perceptions and experiences of health sectors in New Zealand.
Research request from Kim Dobson:
Participant information sheet
A comparison of breast cancer patients’ perceptions and experiences of private and public health systems in New Zealand.
Dear Prospective Research Participant,
You are invited to take part in a project I am undertaking which is exploring Breast Cancer patients’ perceptions and experiences of health sectors in New Zealand. Participants have been selected through my family and friends networks.
The aim of the research is to explore and analyse former breast cancer patients’ perceptions, experiences, decisions and perceptions of New Zealand health systems.
Participation in the study is entirely voluntary and if you agree to participate in the research, I am anticipating that the interview will take between one to one and a half hours in total, in a place where you feel most comfortable, whether it is in your own home or in a quiet public place.
With your consent this interview will be digitally recorded, so that I can refer back to, transcribe, and analyse the interview. You can have a friend, family or whānau support to help you understand the risks and/or benefits of this study and any other explanation you may require. If you need an interpreter, one can be provided.
Responses collected will form the basis of my research project and will be put into a written report on an anonymous basis. It will not be possible for you to be identified personally, only grouped responses will be presented in this report. All material collected will be kept confidential. No other person besides myself and my supervisor, Professor Kevin Dew, will have access to the interview transcripts or digital audio recordings. Participants are assured that the data will not be used for any purpose other than those stated above without further consent. Interview transcripts and digital recordings will be destroyed ten years after the end of the project and will be stored securely in a locked filing cabinet at Victoria University in Professor Dew’s office during this time. All participants can request a summary of the research results and a CD copy of their interview at the completion of the project.
The research will be used primarily to fulfil the requirements for a Master of Arts by thesis at Victoria University of Wellington. The thesis will be submitted for marking to the School of Social and Cultural Sciences and deposited in the University Library. It is intended that one or more articles will be submitted for publication in scholarly journals.
Benefits of the research could include having the chance to share your story surrounding your experiences and perceptions of the health systems. Risks could include old feelings regarding your illness coming back. However these risks will be minimised through the interviews being centred around the topic of health care systems, rather than your cancer experience. Risks are also minimised as you do not have answer any questions you do not feel comfortable answering and you may also stop the interview at any time. Should you feel the need to withdraw from the project, you may do so without question at any time before the data is analysed.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding your rights as a participant in this study, you may wish to contact an independent health and disability advocate:
Free phone: 0800 555 050, Free fax: 0800 2 SUPPORT (0800 2787 7678) or Email: advocacy@hdc.org.nz.
If you have any questions or would like to receive further information about the project, please feel free to contact me:
Kim Dobson
Master of Arts Candidate
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Phone: Cell 027 209 3890
Work: (04) 463 5233 ext 6710
Email: kim.dobson@vuw.ac.nz
Or should you wish to contact my supervisor, Professor Kevin Dew, his details are:
Professor Kevin Dew
Sociology and Social Policy Programme
Victoria University of Wellington
P O Box 600
Wellington
Phone (04) 463 5291
Email: kevin.dew@vuw.ac.nz
