1.
Consent Form:
Researcher: Georgie Barry, PhD student at the Royal Veterinary College. Email: [email protected]
Supervisor: Dave Brodbelt. Email: [email protected]
Introduction
We would like to invite you to take part in a research study looking at disorders commonly diagnosed in dogs in primary care practice.
Participation in the study is entirely voluntary and declining to participate will not disadvantage you in any way. Please read the information below before deciding whether or not to take part. If anything is unclear, or you would like more information, please contact me at [email protected], or my supervisor at [email protected]. The study has received ethical approval from the Royal Veterinary College’s Social Science Research Ethical Review Board (URN: SR2025 - 01260904).
What is the purpose of the study?
Canine disorders can impact dogs' health to varying degrees. The purpose of this study is to understand how veterinary professionals consider the impact of common canine disorders on a dog's overall health. This will allow analysis of the disease burden of these disorders to be evaluated in more detail.
Who is eligible to take part?
We are keen to hear from any general practitioner veterinarian (MRCVS) or registered veterinary nurse (RVN) with experience of managing canine patients in UK primary care practice, who is resident in the UK and over the age of 18 years.
What will taking part involve?
Taking part will involve completing a brief online questionnaire, which should take about 15 minutes. The questionnaire consists of pairs of descriptions of dogs affected by common canine disorders. Your task is to decide which of the dogs presented you would consider the healthiest.
We will also ask for some basic demographic information, such as your gender, year of qualification, practice type and veterinary role (MRCVS or RVN), in order to assess possible factors that may influence your responses.
Is it an anonymous study?
Yes. You will not be required to provide your name, or any personal data such as contact details, or any information that could lead to someone recognising who you are from your answers.
What if I change my mind about taking part?
You may exit the questionnaire at any point before submitting your responses. However, it will not be possible to withdraw your responses once you have submitted them, as these are anonymous.
What will happen to the results of the study?
The results of the study will be reported in my final thesis as part of the requirements for my PhD. Additionally, they might be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at academic conferences. Anonymous data, which cannot be traced to any individual, may be made freely available for future research and learning via an RVC research data storage facility, and in association with subsequent publications.
What are the possible risks of taking part?
We do not anticipate any problems arising from participation in this study. The questions are expected to be straightforward as they are related to disorders of dogs seen in day-to-day practice.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
You will be helping us to advance our knowledge about the impacts to dogs' health caused by common disorders. As a result, these findings will contribute to further work and veterinary professionals will have a better understanding of canine disease burden.
How is the project being funded?
The study is being conducted as part of my PhD at the Royal Veterinary College, which is funded by Dogs Trust.
Thank you for reading this information sheet and for considering taking part in this research.
Participant consent statement:
By ticking 'Yes' I confirm that:
- I am over 18 years of age and resident in the UK.
- I am a general practitioner veterinarian (MRCVS) or registered veterinary nurse (RVN) with experience of treating dogs in primary care practice.
- I have read and understood the information provided and had the opportunity to ask questions.
- I give consent for the information I provide in this questionnaire to be used as described for the purposes stated.
- I give permission for the anonymous data, which cannot be traced to me as an individual, to be deposited in a research data storage facility and made available in association with subsequent publications, so it can be used for future research and learning.
