March 2, 2000 Dear Cardiac Rehabilitation Participant, Hello. My name iSN, RN, and I am a graduate nursing student at Valparaiso University. Some of you might remember me from last Fall semester when I spent time in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department performing clinical hours. This semester I am conducting a study to examine the motivational beliefs and lifestyle practices of cardiac rehabilitation participants. This study, which is sponsored by Health Center's Cardiac Services Department, will enable the Cardiac Rehabilitation team to evaluate and improve their education program to better meet the needs of cardiac rehabilitation participants.
Would you please assist me in this study by completing two questionnaires and a biographical data sheet, that will take approximately 10 minutes to complete? Your beliefs and behaviors are very important to me and are needed to give an accurate picture of the educational needs of cardiac rehabilitation participants.
You have been chosen to participate in this study since you are an active participant in the phase III cardiac rehabilitation program.
The questionnaires are completely anonymous, so you are not asked to put your name on it or identify yourself in any way. I therefore hope you will feel comfortable about providing me with your honest beliefs and behaviors. Please answer all the questions if you can, but you may elect not to answer a particular question if you choose.
You may decide to complete the questionnaires today, after your exercise session, or you may choose to take them home to complete; and either return them next week or mail them to this researcher in a postage-paid return envelope provided upon request.
Other than the time element, there will be no physical risk for participation. Participation in this study is voluntary. You may discontinue participation at any time without penalty.
Any services you receive, or may receive in the future, from the Cardiac Services department will not be affected by your choice to participate or not to participate in this study. Any information used in a scientific report will in no way have your name attached and you will not be able to be identified.
Completion and return of the questionnaires will indicate your consent to participate. The completed questionnaires will be kept in a large, sealed box with an opening on the top marked Research located in the Cardiac Rehabilitation department at the nurses' station. To analyze the information in a timely fashion, I ask that you return the questionnaires within 10 to 14 days from the date they are received.
A summary of this study will be given to you upon request and this researcher is the person you should contact if you have any questions or concerns about the study or about your rights as a study participant. I can be reached by calling and you will need to identify yourself as a study participant.
Thank you very much for your cooperation and assistance in this endeavor. Your responses are extremely important for the study.