Dear VODG,
I am Dr Robin Hadley, a researcher at the School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, the Open University. I am writing to you about our research study exploring the role of healthcare professionals in supporting people with long term conditions or disabled people, who experience cyber-victimisation. The aim of the study is to develop training material to enable healthcare professionals support people in this situation.
About the research
Cyber-victimisation experiences have multi-level impacts on physical, mental, social wellbeing and economic circumstances of people. Cyber-victimisation in this study is defined as ‘’Negative online experiences characterised by repeated unwanted contact via the Internet/electronic communication such as email, chatroom, online forum, social network, phone message or call, that causes fear or distress’’. Unwanted contact includes online/cyber harassment, cyberstalking, online trolling, cyber bullying, online discrimination or online disability hate incidents. These are met with variable levels of formal support that is generally seen as poor.
Healthcare professionals who have regular contact with patients with long-term conditions are one of the first-line professionals approached by victims. Your input will be invaluable to understanding clinical encounters and medical viewpoints on the potential impact of cyber-victimisation on people who are coping with long term conditions or disabled people.
This research is part of the Open Societal Challenges (OSC) programme: https://www.open.ac.uk/research/faculties-themes
How can you help?
Your support to this study will be invaluable because you have direct contact with healthcare professionals in the UK. We would be grateful if you would invite your members (healthcare professionals) to take part in this study by sharing the link to our online survey via email or via your social media accounts:
At the end of the online survey is an option to volunteer to be interviewed.
How will your organisation benefit?
The information gathered from the participants in this research will be used to create training materials for healthcare professionals. We will consider you a stakeholder in this project, you will shape this training through the contribution from your members. We will keep you informed on the progress, and also offer you the final training materials as a benefit.
How will your members benefit?
Participants are expected to benefit from reflecting on the current practice. This will be followed by the opportunity to receive training which can potentially contribute to their professional development. On the longer term, this research will help contribute to awareness-raising and tackling cyber-victimisation as a societal challenge.
Has the study received ethical authorization?
The Open University Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this research project: reference number HREC/4741.
Participation is voluntary and all the information will be kept confidential and anonymous, data will be processed in accordance with Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR. Participants have the right to withdraw at any point without giving a reason.
What happens next?
I will be very grateful if you respond to this email and explain whether it is of your interest to provide your members with this study information and questionnaire link.
The questionnaire provides further details and contact information, including for any complaints. However, I also will be delighted to share further details about this study if you are interested in further information or wish to complain.
Yours faithfully,
Robin
Dr Robin A Hadley (PhD)
Email: [email protected]