Protecting Your Privacy
Participating in research in the digital age
Sometimes the study team and participants need to contact one another. There are many ways to communicate, including phone, text, and email. Some ways ensure better privacy than others.
If you would like KPWHRI study team to communicate with you electronically, here is some information for you to think about:
- The best way to communicate between a study team and participant is always in a real conversation, either in person or over the phone.
- Do you share a cell phone or an email address with others? If so, are you comfortable with them knowing you are in a study and what that study is about?
- Text and email messages can be accidentally deleted, shared, or forwarded.
- Text and email messages from participants to study staff don’t always reach the person quickly.
- Health information should never be included in emails or texts. This practice helps protect your privacy.
KPWHRI study staff will discuss what kind of communication participants can use and expect for each study.
If you are a study participant and have an urgent need to contact a study team, you should always use the phone number on your Informed Consent form.
More Information
If you have questions or concerns about being in a KPWHRI research study, please contact:
Tanya Matthews, IRB Administrator
Contact the KP Interregional IRB
KPiIRB Hotline:
951-739-6781
KPiIRB email address:
KPinterregionalIRB@kp.org
KPiIRB Mailing Address:
Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
1 Kaiser Plaza, 22nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612-3610
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