Promoting Climate Resilient Health Systems: Understanding the Training Needs of Managers in Quebec's Health and Social Services Network

ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND CONSENT FORM (EICF) REGARDING PARTICIPATION MANAGERS OF THE QUEBEC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES NETWORK

The French version of this information and consent form was approved on January 13, 2025, by the Research Ethics Committee of the Université du Québec à Rimouski (CER-UQAR).

Reference number: 2025-668

We invite you to participate in a research project entitled: Promoting Climate Resilient Health Systems: Understanding the Training Needs of Managers in Quebec's Health and Social Services Network*.

*Also referred to as : Réseau de la Santé et des Services sociaux (RSSS)

Before consenting to participate in this project, please take the time to read, understand, and carefully consider the following information. Additionally, we encourage you to ask any questions you deem necessary to the lead researcher or other project team members, and to request clarification of any terms or information that may not be clear.

1.    Research Team
Marie-Andrée Houle, RN, Master’s Student in Nursing (UQAR); Lily Lessard, PhD. RN Research Director (UQAR, CIRUSS), Dr. Brigitte Pinard, Director of Public Health, Outaouais (CISSSO), Julien Lambrey de Souza, Director of Continuing Education and Off-Campus Training (UQAR), Julie-Caroline Veilleux, Continuing Education Advisor (UQAR)

2.    Funding
This project is funded by the Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec (INSPQ) through the Quebec government’s plan for a Green Economy (PGE)

3.    Conflict of Interest
The research team members declare no apparent or potential conflicts of interest.

4.    Project Description and Objectives
According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century, posing risks to populations and healthcare systems, including the health and social services sector. This research aims to determine the knowledge and training needs of managers within the Quebec Health and Social Services Network (RSSS), so that they can support the resilience of healthcare systems to climate change.  The objectives are to:
1.    Assess the priority level that RSSS managers in Quebec assign to climate change.
2.    Describe the knowledge of RSSS managers regarding climate resilient health systems. 
3.    Identify training methods to be developed on climate resilient health systems that would best facilitate knowledge acquisition and participation of RSSS managers in Quebec.

5.    Participation Process
Your participation in this research project will consist of completing an online questionnaire, which will take approximately 15 minutes

6.    Risks and Benefits
This research presents no risk. The main inconvenience for participants is the time required to complete the online questionnaire. You will not gain any personal benefits from participating in this research, except that the results obtained will contribute to advancing knowledge in this field and preparing training that better meets the needs of RSSS managers in Quebec

7.    Confidentiality, Data Storage, and Dissemination
The questionnaire does not request any identifying information. Access to participants' identities is impossible for anyone, including the research team.

1. The questionnaire is hosted on an online survey tool at UQAR. Therefore, access to the data is subject to Canadian access to information laws.
2. All collected data will be securely stored on a password-protected server at UQAR.
3. The research findings will be documented in a research report accessible via UQAR’s institutional digital repository.
4. The research will also be published in scientific and professional journals, where no participant will be identifiable.
5. At the end of the questionnaire, a final question will ask whether you wish to enter a prize draw and receive a copy of your responses. This process is entirely independent of the survey.

8.    Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal Rights
Your participation in this research project is voluntary. You are free to decline participation by simply not responding to the questionnaire. Once submitted, your responses cannot be withdrawn, as it is impossible to trace your questionnaire since no identifying information is collected. Under no circumstances does consenting to participate in the research mean that you waive your legal rights or absolve the researchers, sponsors, or institutions involved of their legal and professional responsibilities.

9.    Compensation
At the end of the questionnaire, you will be asked a final question to determine whether you wish to enter a prize draw for a $50 gift card from Les Libraires. You have a 1-in-10 chance of winning. Participation in the draw is entirely independent of the survey. Therefore, it is not possible to link your responses to your name or contact information.

10.    Commitment of the Lead Researcher and Contact Information
The lead researcher of this project, along with the research team, is committed to adhering to the terms outlined in this information and consent form. If you have any questions regarding the research project or encounter any issues that you believe are related to your participation, you may contact the lead researcher at:  lily_lessard@uqar.ca

For any ethical concerns regarding your participation in this research project, you may contact the Research Ethics Committee of the Université du Québec à Rimouski at: cer@uqar.ca

11.    Participant Consent
I have read and understood the above information. My participation is voluntary, and I consent to the use of my responses within the context of this research project.