Everyone is a patient at some point in their lives and QUT is seeking 1000-plus Australians to participate in a survey about their experiences when talking with primary healthcare practitioners such as doctors and dentists, and x-ray clinic and pathology staff.
The anonymous survey is being conducted by Michelle Lum, a PhD candidate from QUT’s School of Psychology and Counselling, who says the results will be published as well as shared with healthcare professionals, educators, trainers and policy-makers.
“We are looking for men and women over the age of 18. Based on previous studies I find men can be harder to recruit as they are typically more reticent when it comes to talking about their health” Ms Lum said.
“I hope the fact that this survey is anonymous might inspire more men to open up on this important topic.
“The survey is straightforward - we ask participants to rate, for example, how easy they find it to describe their health symptoms to a practitioner.
“Our aim is to explore how people from a range of ages and backgrounds feel about their communication as patients with healthcare professionals.
“Whether your experience as a patient has been positive or negative, we want to hear from you. I hope people will take the opportunity to have a voice in a protected, anonymous environment.”
The survey takes 20 minutes to complete, is open until the end of the year and can be accessed online (https://qutpsych.au1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_ba5WNSQkSFNdx0p&Q_JFE=0&Q_SE=YmE1).
QUT is part of a national collaborative group of five major Australian universities that form the ATN (Australian Technology Network of Universities).
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
