School of Public Health

Faculty of Medicine

ABN 15 211 513 464

CHIEF INVESTIGATOR / SUPERVISOR NAME

Lyndal Trevena / Professor
Donna Waters / Professor
Christopher Roberts / Associate Professor
Kat Leung / PhD Candidate

Room 321B
Edward Ford Building (A27)
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 2 9351 7788
Facsimile: +61 2 9351 5049
Email: Lyndal.trevena@sydney.edu.au
Web: http://www.sydney.edu.au/

Development and validation of an instrument to measure

the competence of evidence-based practice in nurses, doctors and physiotherapists (Phase II)
Project No.: 2014/907

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION STATEMENT

(1) What is the study about?

You are invited to participate in a study of developing an evidence-based practice (EBP) competence
instrument in Nursing, Medicine and Physiotherapy. An instrument called the evidence-based Practice
Assessment Tool (ePAT) has been developed in Phase I. The aim of this Phase II is to measure the
evidence-based practice knowledge, skills and attitudes in nurses, doctors and physiotherapists.
Approximately 600 post-graduate students from these discipline schools at University of Sydney and
members from the Australian Nurse Teachers Society (ANTS), Australian and New Zealand
Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) and Australasian Interprofessional Practice
and Education Network (AIPPEN) will be invited to participate in this study.
(2) Who is carrying out the study?
The study is being conducted by Kat Leung as part of her PhD at the University of Sydney under the
supervision of Professor Lyndal Trevena and Dr Christopher Roberts, Associate Professor of the
Sydney Medical School; and Professor Donna Waters, Dean of the Sydney Nursing School.
(3) What does the study involve?
Participants will be asked to answer the online questionnaire called The evidence-based Practice
Assessment Tool (ePAT). Returning the questionnaire will indicate your consent for participation and
all responses are anonymous. At this stage, there is no apparent risk identified for you to take part in
this study.

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(4) How much time will the study take?

The ePAT consists of five open-ended questions and you will be asked to answer them preferably in
one sitting; alternatively, you may select pause and save your answers then re-enter the survey at
your convenience time. You should take not more than 35 minutes to answer all the questions in
ePAT.
(5) Can I withdraw from the study?
Being in this study is completely voluntary - you are not under any obligations to consent and - if you
do consent - you can withdraw at any time without affecting your relationship with the University of
Sydney, ANTS, ANZAHPE; and AIPPEN. However, after you have submitted the questionnaire
anonymously, you cannot withdraw from the study. Your participation in the study has no connection
with academic progression or assessment for the postgraduate study in which you are enrolled.
(6) Will anyone else know the results?
All aspects of the study, including results, will be strictly confidential and only the researchers will have
access to information on participants except as required by law. A report of the study may be used for
preparation of future publication, but individual participants will not be identifiable in such a report.
(7) Will the study benefit me?
There will be no direct benefits in taking part in this study but you may benefit indirectly from an
improved understanding of the evidence-based practice model and an increased awareness of using
evidence in your practice. We cannot and do not guarantee or promise that you will receive other
benefits from the study.
(8) Can I tell other people about the study?
Yes, you can tell other fellow students/colleagues/members about the study by providing them with the
chief investigators contact details. They can contact the co-researcher Kat Leung to discuss their
participation in the research study and obtain further information about this study. Her contact details
are listed in (9).

(9) What if I require further information about the study or my involvement in it?
When you have read this information, Kat Leung will discuss it with you further and answer any
questions you may have. If you would like to know more at any stage, please feel free to contact Kat
Leung via email: kleu9486@uni.sydney.edu.au or mobile: 0426 975 917.

Development and validation of an instrument to measure the competence of

evidence-based practice in nurses, doctors and physiotherapists (Phase II)
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(10) What if I have a complaint or any concerns?

Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of a research study can contact The
Manager, Human Ethics Administration, University of Sydney on +61 2 8627 8176 (Telephone); +61 2
8627 8177 (Facsimile) or ro.humanethics@sydney.edu.au (Email).

Development and validation of an instrument to measure the competence of

evidence-based practice in nurses, doctors and physiotherapists (Phase II)
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