Aloha! My name is Michiyo Tomioka, the Evaluator for the Better Choices Better Health (BCBH) – Ke Ola Pono program. We invite you to participate in the evaluation study of the BCBH, which is Hawai‘i’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, including Diabetes Self-Management Program, and Cancer Thriving and Surviving Program.
What am I being asked to do?
If you participate in the evaluation study, you will be asked to fill out an online questionnaire.
Taking part in this study is your choice.
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You may stop participating at any time. If you stop being in the study, there will be no penalty or loss to you. Your decision not to participate or to withdraw from the study will not affect current or future relationships or services.
Why is this study being done?
The BCBH program is being conducted to improve quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. It involves learning new skills and talking with others. This study will collect data to see if your quality of life has improved as a result of the program.
What will happen if I decide to take part in this study?
The BCBH program offers workshops for one to two and a half hours, once a week, for six weeks. You will participate in these workshops and learn:
• Appropriate exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance
• Appropriate use of medications
• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
• Nutrition
• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the start of the program, right after the program, six months, and twelve months after the program. The questionnaire asks questions about yourself, your health, and your health behaviors outside of the program. Staff can help you complete the questionnaire. Each questionnaire will take 15 – 20 minutes to complete.
What are the risks and benefits of taking part in this study?
We believe there is little or no risk to participating in this program. However, it may cause you to think more about your health and your behaviors. We expect you to see benefits as a result of this program. For example, you may feel better, have better control over your symptoms, and be better able to talk to your physician.
Confidentiality and Privacy:
The questionnaire will not ask you for any personal information, such as your name or address. Please do not include any personal information in your responses. I will keep all study data in a secure online data center hosted by SurveyMonkey and a password protected work computer. Other agencies that have legal permission have the right to review research records. The University of Hawai‘i Human Studies Program has the right to review research records for this study.
Costs & Compensation:
There may be a cost to the program, and voluntary donations are also accepted. You will receive no payment or reimbursement for expenses related to this program.
Future Research Studies:
Identifiers will be removed from your identifiable private information. After the removal of identifiers, data may be used for future research studies or distributed to another investigator for future research studies, and we will not seek further approval from you for these future studies.
