Study title: Evaluation of Western Victoria PHN Telehealth Implementation in Residential Aged Care Homes Program.
Information for Residents, Carers and Families
Taking part in research or evaluation can provide an opportunity for residents, carers and family members to share their experiences and perspectives. Clear participant information helps people understand why a project is being conducted, what participation involves, and what they may need to consider before deciding whether to participate.
You have been invited to take part in a research study by completing a survey or taking part in an
interview. This Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form describes the study as clearly as possible so that you can understand what is involved and decide if you would like to take part.
Valuing Resident, Carer and Family Perspectives
The experiences of residents, carers and family members can provide important insights into how health and community services are experienced in practice. Including these perspectives in program evaluation can help healthcare organisations identify barriers, understand service experiences, and develop practical opportunities for improvement.
Conclusion
Meaningful research and evaluation benefits from listening to the people who experience services directly. Providing clear participant information and an appropriate consent process helps residents, carers and family members make informed choices about participation, while their perspectives can provide valuable evidence for improving health and community services.
Frequently Asked Questions
A participant information sheet provides important details about a research or evaluation project, including its purpose, what participation involves, and information people may need before deciding whether to participate.
Informed consent helps ensure that people understand their involvement and can make a voluntary decision about whether they wish to participate.
Yes. Depending on the project, carers and family members can provide valuable perspectives about service access, experiences, communication, support needs, and outcomes.
Residents can describe their experiences of services directly, helping evaluators understand what is working well and where barriers or opportunities for improvement may exist.
Participants should understand the purpose of the project, what they will be asked to do, how their information or feedback will be handled, and any other relevant considerations before deciding whether to participate.