Consent to Contact

Dear Potential Participant,

You are invited to participate in the Goal Management Training project conducted by Dr. Margaret McKinnon, PhD, C.Psych. at Homewood Research Institute, in Guelph, ON. This study aims to examine whether a cognitive training program called Goal Management Training (GMT) is effective in reducing cognitive difficulties, and improving every-day functioning in Public Safety Personnel who are experiencing post-traumatic stress. This study will be conducted online using Zoom for Healthcare.

Participation in this study is voluntary. In order to determine whether or not you want to take part in this research study, you should understand what is involved and the potential risks and benefits. Please take your time to review this letter of information. You may discuss it with your friends, family, or members of your clinical care team before making your decision.

Why is this research being done?
Research has shown that individuals who are experiencing post-traumatic stress often also experience difficulties in many parts of cognitive functioning, like memory, learning, and attention. Such difficulties can have negative impacts, including less productivity at work or home and changes in social functioning. At present, very little research has been done to investigate whether cognitive difficulties can be targeted through a specific treatment approach.

In this study, we plan to investigate the effectiveness of an approach known as Goal Management Training (GMT) in reducing cognitive difficulties and improving day-to-day functioning (i.e., work or social functioning) among public safety personnel experiencing post-traumatic stress. We are also interested to learn how the effects of GMT compare to those of the standard treatment for cognitive difficulties with post-traumatic stress: psychosocial education. For this reason, participants will be randomly assigned to either a GMT group or a psychosocial education group. Should this study be successful, it has the potential to have a positive impact for people who have been impacted by trauma, their families, and society. Specifically, if we demonstrate that GMT can reduce difficulties in cognitive functioning and improve day-to-day functioning in the study group, we can expect that it would also be successful for others.

What are the possible risks and discomforts?
Your participation in this study will include disclosure of personal information regarding your symptoms and difficulties related to post-traumatic stress, and your history of exposure to traumatic events. This may cause you to feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or become distressed. You are not required to answer any questions if you do not wish to and the research team will make every effort to minimize these risks.

How to Participate:
If you are interested in receiving more information, please fill out the contact form below and press submit at the bottom of the page to send the information to Heather Millman, Project Coordinator, Homewood Research Institute. A research team member will contact you to see if you are eligible to participate. Completing the contact form does not mean you have given consent to participate.

Questions:
If you have any questions about the study, please contact Dr. Margaret McKinnon at 519-838-8104 ext. 32498. If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research participant, you may contact Dr. Steve Abdool, Bioethicist & Director, Regional Centre for Excellence in Ethics, Homewood Health Centre at SAbdool@homewoodhealth.com or (519) 824-1010 Ext. 32118.