SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL

SCIENCES
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Locked Bag 588
Boorooma Street
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Tel: +61 2 6933 2100
Fax: +61 2 6933 2587
Email: SBS-Office@csu.edu.au
www.csu.edu.au/divisionorschool

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET

The Medication Adherence Reasons Scale (MAR-Scale): Reliability and validity in antihypertensive therapy in
Australia.

Researchers: Robert Lindner, Student, Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Supervisors: Professor Lexin Wang, Charles Sturt University; Dr Yann Guisard, Charles Sturt University
Invitation

You are invited to participate in a research study on the use of blood pressure medications. The study is being
conducted by Robert Lindner (Student, Bachelor of Science (Hons)) from the Faculty of Science at the Charles Sturt
University.

Before you decide whether or not you wish to participate in this study, it is important for you to understand why the
research is being done and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully and
discuss it with others if you wish.

1. What is the purpose of this study?

Doctors and researchers use various methods to estimate how well patients follow instructions when taking
medications. A new questionnaire has been developed that allows patients to provide reasons why they may not
have been able to take their medications. This questionnaire, the Medication Adherence Reasons Scale, or MAR-
Scale, has already been validated for use with patients who have high cholesterol or asthma. This study aims to
determine if the MAR-Scale could also be given to patients with high blood pressure. If validated for use in high
blood pressure, it would give doctors and researchers alike a new way to assess how well patients are able to take
their blood pressure tablets, and identify reasons why some may have difficulties.

2. Why have I been invited to participate in this study?

We are seeking English-speaking Australians over the age of 18 who have been prescribed medication to lower their
blood pressure. This applies only to those who are currently prescribed these medications, and unfortunately those
who have been taken off blood pressure medications by a medical practitioner are not eligible.

3. What does this study involve?

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete two simple questionnaires, the MAR-Scale and the Brief
Medications Questionnaire (BMQ). These questionnaires ask simple questions relating to your blood pressure
medications and the way in which you took them over the last 7 days. The responses will remain completely
anonymous, and will in no way have any repercussions for you. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to
complete, and will be available for you to complete until Friday, 20th of October.

4. Are there risks and benefits to me in taking part in this study?

We cannot promise any benefit directly from participating in this research. There are no foreseeable risks involved
in participation.

5. How is this study being paid for?

This research is not being funded, and there are no conflicts of interest
6. Will taking part in this study (or travelling to) cost me anything, and will I be paid?
There is no travel necessary to take place in this study, and you will not be expected to pay for anything. There is no
financial reimbursement that will be paid to you for this study.

7. What if I don't want to take part in this study?

Participation in this research is entirely your choice. Only those people who complete and submit the survey will be
included in the research. Whether or not you decide to participate, is your decision and will not disadvantage you. If
you do decide to participate, you may withdraw from the survey at any time without giving a reason by exiting the
survey without submitting.

8. What if I participate and want to withdraw later?

As all data will be anonymous, it will not be possible to withdraw from the study once you have submitted your
survey

9. How will my confidentiality be protected?

You will not be asked at any point to provide information that could be used to identify you. Data will be securely
retained with Charles Sturt University for 5 years.

10. What will happen to the information that I give you?

The data collected will be used in a dissertation for the purpose of Mr Robert Lindners degree. The data will be
collated and individual answers will not be presented at any point within this dissertation. The information will
remain the property of Mr Robert Lindner, and will be securely stored by Charles Sturt University for five years, in
accordance with the Research Data Management Policy. As directed by this policy, the data may be accessed by
other researchers following consultation with the original collectors, or may be used in future studies, although
there are no plans to do so at this point.

11. What should I do if I want to discuss this study further before I decide?
If you would like further information, please contact:

Mr Robert Lindner - 0407044223

Dr Yann Guisard YGuisard@csu.edu.au
Prof Lexin Wang Lwang@csu.edu.au

NOTE: Charles Sturt Universitys Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this project. If you have any
complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee through the
Executive Officer:

The Executive Officer

Human Research Ethics Committee
Office of Governance and Corporate Affairs
Charles Sturt University
Private Bag 29
Panorama Avenue
Bathurst NSW 2795
Tel: (02) 6338 4628
Email: ethics@csu.edu.au

Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the outcome.
Thank you for considering this invitation.