You are being asked to participate in a surveillance system for influenza symptoms. Before you give your consent to be a volunteer, it is important that you read the following information and ask as many questions as necessary so that you understand what you will be asked to do.
Purpose of Flutracking
This project tracks reports of people with influenza symptoms across Australia to monitor the spread of influenza (both routine seasonal and pandemic influenza) and monitors their severity of illness and protection provided by vaccination.
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Description of the Study
If you agree to participate you will receive an email from us each week, if you click on the link in the email you will be taken to a series of
initial questions in first week of study
Did you receive an influenza vaccine last year?
What is your usual postcode of residence?
Do you usually work face to face with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors surgeries or as a community health worker?
In what month and year were you born?
and the
questions you will receive in the following weeks of study
.
Did you have:
Fever?
Cough?
Absence from work or normal daily duties due to fever or cough?
If YES; number of days off work or interruption of normal daily activities?
Have you received the NEW swine flu vaccine this year?
Have you received the annual flu vaccine this year?
These ask about recent influenza-like symptoms and illness and vaccination against influenza. It will take approximately 10 - 15 seconds to complete the form (assuming your computer is already running). You will receive the emails for about 25 weeks during each influenza season (April to October).
Can anyone take part in the survey?
We are only looking for people who live in Australia and have easy access to email and the internet on a weekly basis. The person answering the survey must be 12 years of age or over, but parents can answer on behalf of their children
How many people can use the same email address?
Only one person can register a single email address for this study, but they can provide answers on behalf of other members of their household including children.
Voluntary Participation
Your participation in this project is completely voluntary and you may refuse to answer questions or end your participation any time by clicking on the "unsubscribe" link at the end of your survey or by contacting Hunter New England Population Health (HNEPH). Your choice of whether or not to participate will in no way influence any health care services provided to you by any Area Health Service
Confidentiality
All information you provide will be kept confidential. The information you provide will be stored on password protected databases and your personal email address will be kept in a separate file to the health information you provide to us. The information will be kept for the duration required under the State Records Act.
Questions about the Study
The chief investigator in this study is Dr Craig Dalton. If you have any concerns, comments or questions about this project now or later, feel free to contact Dr Dalton or Flutracking directly.
Complaints about this research
Should you have concerns about your rights as a participant in Flutracking, or you have a complaint about the manner in which the survey is conducted, it may be given to the Flutracking Team. If an independent person is preferred, please contact Hunter New England Health Complaints - 1800 605 172 (during business hours).
Consent and Agreement
Providing your email address and clicking "I Agree" button below, indicates that you agree to participate in the study, have read the information in this agreement, have been told that you can change your mind and withdraw your consent to participate at any time and have had a chance to ask any questions you have about the study.
You will receive an emailed copy of this consent form and a link to confirm that you have consented to participate in this project.
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