Reference
Date
Dear XXX
An action research approach to improving team culture in an
Acute Hospital
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you
decide it is important for you to understand why the research is
being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the
following information carefully and discuss it with others if you
wish. Ask me if there is anything that is not clear or if you would
like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you
wish to take part.
What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the process and outcomes
of the intervention that has been taking place over the past
eighteen months to improve team culture in your department. It
will examine the impact of the intervention on the people involved,
on the context of care for patients, and seek to identify
improvements in organisation development practice. The products
of the study will be:
• To test the theory behind the intervention and identify what
works for whom and how
• To provide qualitative evidence of changes to complement
quantitative measures already in place
• To provide a framework for evaluating future culture change
interventions
Why have I been chosen?
All departmental staff, and the senior clinical and non-clinical
managers involved in the intervention, are being invited to
participate in the study so that a complete picture can emerge.
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do
decide to take part you will be given this information sheet to keep
and be asked to sign a consent form. If you decide to take part,
you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a
reason. A decision to withdraw at any time or a decision not to
take part will not affect your staff rights or position in any way.
What do I have to do if I take part?
You will be an active participant in evaluating the culture change in
the department. This is an action research process whereby the
researcher will consult with you and other participants to decide
the key areas to evaluate, to evaluate these, and then to check
that the evaluation reflects your experiences fully and accurately.
The study will entail three stages:
1. an individual hour-long interview;
2. a two hour focus group with 4-10 colleagues from
department;
3. a two hour facilitated reflective session.
Each stage will take place in the Academic Centre at the Trust and
will be tape recorded and transcribed. Timings will be arranged to
suit your shift patterns. Each stage will take place at least a month
apart with data analysis refined and shared with participants at
each stage. The researcher may return to ask you follow up
questions to check their understanding or interpretation of data
collected. Follow up will also be arranged to suit you.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
The study has been designed to be flexible and collaborative to
minimise any risks to individual staff or the department. It is based
in an approach of Appreciative Inquiry which aims to build on
constructive experiences, rather than focusing on problems. In
participating in collaborative research the process is uncertain but
you can influence the findings and how these are presented.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
I hope that participating in the study will help you and the
department to continue to change the culture in a way that benefits
you. However, this cannot be guaranteed. The information gained
from this study may help other teams experiencing difficult cultural
dynamics.
Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?
All information that is collected about you during the course of the
research will be kept strictly confidential. Any information about
you which is used will have your name removed so that you cannot
be recognised from it.
Data will be stored, analysed and reported in compliance with the
UK Data Protection Act.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
You will not be identified in any report or publication. The results
of the research study will be shared with participants in the first
instance, and then the Department as a whole, including any non-
participants. It will then be shared with my Organisation
Development colleagues to help inform and improve their practice
and any findings that are relevant to the way that the Trust seeks
to change culture will be shared at relevant Trust level meetings,
such as the Organisational Capability Sub-Group that considers
how best to develop staff. The research study will be published as
part of my doctorate dissertation on culture change in healthcare
settings and will be shared on the Trust’s R&D Intranet site. This
is likely to take place in 2012. The results will also be presented at
national and international conferences as part of the Trust’s
research into organisation development practice. You can contact
me for any internal or external published results or papers.
Who has reviewed the study?
The study has been reviewed by the Trust’s Research &
Development Committee and Middlesex University, School of
Health and Social Sciences, Health Studies Ethics Sub-
Committee.
Thank you for taking part in this study.
Yours sincerely
Amy Stabler
Participant Identification Number:
CONSENT FORM
Title of Project: An action research approach to improving team culture in an Acute Hospital
Name of Researcher: Amy Stabler
1. I confirm that I have read and understand the information letter dated ...………..…for the above study and have had the opportunity to ask questions.
2. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason.
3. I agree that this form that bears my name and signature may be seen by a designated auditor.
4. I agree that my non-identifiable research data may be stored in National Archives and be used anonymously by others for future research. I am assured that the confidentiality of my data will be upheld through the removal of any personal identifiers.
5. I understand that my interview may be taped and subsequently transcribed. 6. I agree to take part in the above study.
___________________________
______________________
Name of participant Date Signature
___________________________
______________________
Appendix 3