Help us improve healthcare experiences of patients with incidental findings of silent cerebrovascular disease

[juliasieg]

Dear Neurology PA Community, 

We wanted to inform you about the Clinician Perspectives towards Patient Education and Counseling on Silent Cerebrovascular Disease study (SCD), which will include 30-minute, semi-structured interviews with clinicians who have experience working with patients with manifestations of this condition (i.e., white matter disease, silent brain Infarction, or microbleeds). In the absence of evidence-based guidelines for appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management of this disease, we hope to use insights from clinicians to guide improvements in counseling and education to help patients manage the uncertainty surrounding these incidental findings. This study has been given an Exempt determination by the Tufts University Social, Behavioral & Educational Research Institutional Review Board.  

We are looking to recruit up to 15 actively practicing healthcare providers from a variety of professional backgrounds that are likely to encounter SCD-identified patients and participate in their medical treatment, counseling and/or education around the condition. Based on a preliminary review of your professional background, it appears that you may be eligible for participation in this study as a key expert.    

If you believe that you meet the above target participant description and are interested in sharing your insights with the study team, please provide us with your preferred phone number via email message. A member of the study team will reach out to you shortly to screen for eligibility and provide a comprehensive description of interview procedures. (Note: participating in this phone call is not a commitment to participating in the interview). 

We encourage you to forward this email to any other colleagues that may be interested. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 

• Julia Siegel B.S.Ed., OTD/s, Principal Investigator, julia.siegel@tufts.edu
• Keren Ladin PH.D., M.Sc., Faculty Advisor, keren.ladin@tufts.edu

As you are aware, recruiting participants for research studies is challenging, and we are grateful for your assistance and support for this important and timely issue. 

Sincerely, 

Julia Siegel, OTD/s  

julia.siegel@tufts.edu