A script of the phone conversation with subject
Hello, my name is Dr. David Kooby and I am an assistant professor of surgery, division of surgical oncology at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
OR
Hello, my name is Dr. Lee Ocuin and I am a general surgery resident working with Dr. David Kooby at division of surgical oncology, at Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
I. We will ask the subject if it is an appropriate time to have a conversation.
1) If subject is unable to have a conversation at that moment, we will ask subject for
the best contact time.
2) If subject is able to have a conversation:
A) We will inquire if subject has received a letter from our institution.
B) If subject has not received letter, we will apologize and offer to resend the letter and call back at a later time.
C) If subject has received a letter, we will ask if subject is willing to collaborate.
D) In case of a negative response, we will apologize for disturbing the subject and wish all the best.
E) In case subject is ready to collaborate the following is a script of possible conversation:
Currently in our institution we are conducting clinical study and for this purpose we are gathering follow up information on all patients with pancreatic cancer treated at Emory University Hospital, Emory Crawford Long Hospital, and the Atlanta VA medical center. We wish to learn specifics of your treatment. Ultimately this study will improve our understanding of pancreatic cancer and its response to subsequent changes in management.
Confidentiality of identity of participants is guarantied. Refusal for collaboration will not affect your future therapy. There are no direct benefits for those who participate in this study. Do you understand the nature and purpose of this study? Do you understand that no specifics regarding your name, SSN, birth date or home address will be used or disclosed to any other party? Do you understand that your collaboration is completely voluntary and withdrawal will not impact on your future therapy in our institutions? If we get an affirmative response on all the above asked questions we will proceed with liver cancer management specific questions:
Question # 1:
How is subject doing in terms of the general health condition?
Question # 2:
Does subject feel any deterioration or improvement of general health condition since surgery?
Question #3
Since surgery, does subject currently experience any loose, greasy stools or intolerance to fatty meal intake?
Question #4
Does subject currently require pancreatic enzyme supplementation with meals?
Question #5
Has subject developed diabetes since undergoing the surgical procedure?
Question #6
If yes to #5 Does subject currently require insulin or oral medication for control of blood sugars?
Question #7
If yes to #6, How much insulin does the subject require on a daily basis? or What current oral medications does the subject take, and what is the dose?
3) If subject has any questions regarding this study, he/she may contact us at our
office number. If subject have any concerns or questions regarding interviewers
background or objectives of this study, subject may contact interviewers advisor at
Emory University. If subject have any questions about his/her rights as a participant in
this research, subject may contact Emory University.
4) At the end of the conversation we will express our gratitude to subject for the
collaboration and wish all the best.
II. If someone other than the subject answers the phone.
1. We will inquire who we are speaking to.
If we are not speaking to a family member, we will ask for the best time to reach
subject or family member of a subject.
2. We will ask if subject is available for a conversation.
A. If subject is available refer to the script of the phone conversation with subject.
B. If subject is not available, ask for the best time to reach subject.
C. If subject is deceased:
1. We will express our condolences.
2. We will ask permission to ask several questions regarding deceased family
members.
a. In case of the negative response regarding inquiry on the deceased family
member we will apologize for disturbance and discomfort caused by our phone
call and wish all the best.
b. In case positive response to our request, we will inquire if it is possible to know
the cause of the death of subject.
c. In case positive response to our request, we will inquire if it is possible to know
the date of the death of subject.
3. At the end of the conversation we will express our gratitude for the collaboration to
the family member and wish all the best.
III. If an answering machine answers the phone:
1. We will leave exact message of the reason why we are trying to contact subject.
2. We will leave our contact number in case subject or family member wants to contact
us back.
3. We will try to contact the subject or family member in the near future.