EmployerSurvey_ICF

Your Informed Consent and Agreement to Participate in the

2021 Behavioral Health Workforce Employer Survey

Thank you for your interest in participating in a survey of employers of mental health and substance abuse disorder practitioners. This survey is part of a research study directed by Clese Erikson, MPAff of the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at the George Washington University (GW) and in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Council on Behavioral Health. Please review this important information about your rights and protections if you decide to participate in the study.

Participation is Voluntary

Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary and you may choose not to participate or to stop participating in the study at any time.

Study Purpose

The purpose of this survey is to better understand recruitment and retention challenges associated with the behavioral health workforce. The survey will also include questions to better understand the use of telehealth, employee furloughing, and changes in service volume. Your answers will be analyzed for scholarly research and reports to inform behavioral health workforce planning.

What are the reasons you might choose to volunteer for this study?

You will not be compensated nor receive direct benefits for participating in the study. However, your responses will provide critical insight into the workforce caring for clients with mental health and substance use disorders.

What are the reasons you might not choose to volunteer for this study?

There is no physical risk to participants and minimal risk associated with unintended disclosure of interview responses. All information obtained will be kept confidential by the GW team. We will not disclose your identity or information that would identify you to anyone outside of the project without your permission. 

Who can Participate in this Study?

You must be 18 years old or older in order to participate in this study. 

Time Required

The Behavioral Health Workforce Employer Survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Privacy and Confidentiality Protections

All identifying information (e.g., email and IP addresses) will be separated from your responses immediately after you complete the survey. To maintain confidentiality, survey responses will be stored on secure, password-protected computer servers and data files will only be available to authorized members of the research team. All reports and published papers will only report aggregated survey results.

Study Approval and Further Information

This study has been reviewed and approved by the George Washington University Office of Human Research. Please contact Ms. Erikson, Principal Investigator (202-994-4122) or the Office of Human Research of George Washington University (202-994-2715) for further information about your rights as a research participant.

Your willingness to participate in this research study is implied if you proceed.