We are asking you to take part in a research study about prostheses and=20=
prostheses-related care. We are asking you to take part in this=20
research study because you are a health care professional who=20
prescribes and/or provides diabetic amputees with lower limb=20
prostheses. We would like to know some of your opinions and thoughts=20
regarding lower limb prosthetic prescription.
If you decide to take part we will make you a part of an email=20
distribution list, separate from this Liserver. We will then begin an=20=
email correspondence with you asking you questions in an iterative=20
manner (i.e. one question per email message). We will be asking=20
questions about what you think is important when prescribing a=20
prosthesis for a diabetic amputee, what issues do you consider, and=20
what procedures are involved.
By selecting =93Reply=94, we will maintain private, confidential=20
correspondence with you. Your email correspondence will take place and=20=
be stored on a secure computer at the University of Texas Health=20
Science Center at San Antonio. Only members of the research team will=20
have access to these messages. After completion of each study question,=20=
the body of the message will be pasted to a separate document/database,=20=
and your email correspondence deleted from the University=92s server. In=20=
this database, no =91Personal Identifier=92 (i.e., your name, email=20
address, phone number, etc.) will be associated with your response. A=20
numeric code will be assigned to each of you in place of your name. =20
This code is the only identifier that will be used with your responses=20=
in the database. It should be noted, however, that there is a certain=20
risk of identification inherent with the use of electronic=20
correspondence prior to deletion from the mail server.
It should be noted that a member of the research team on a secure=20
University computer will maintain this database.
Everything we learn about you in the study will be confidential. If we=20=
publish the results of the study in a scientific journal or book, we=20
will not identify you in any way.
Your decision to take part in the study is voluntary. You are free to=20
choose not to take part in the study or to stop taking part at any=20
time. If you choose not to take part or to stop at any time, it will=20
not affect your future professional/personal standing nor any=20
relationship you might have with the University of Texas Health Science=20=
Center at San Antonio.
By responding to this email, you have indicated your interest and=20
decision to participate. Your email response also indicates that you=20
have read and understand the information provided above.
Thank you
Gordon Bosker, M.Ed, CP, LPO, FAAOP
