INFORMATION SHEET

Rheumatology Intern immersion Program Impact on Clinical Skills (RIIMPIC) Study

You are invited to participate in a research study that introduces a novel Rheumatology Immersion
curriculum into the educational experience during your intern year. You were selected as a possible
participant because you are in the intern class. We ask that you read this form and ask any questions
you may have before agreeing to be in the study.

This study is being conducted by Rawad Nasr, MD, Linh Ngo, DO, Zaki Abou Zahr, MD, Eric
Miller, MD, Cassedy Mahrer, MD. No funding is required for this study

Study Purpose
The purpose of the study is to assess whether a Rheumatology immersion curriculum in intern year
will improve your understanding of common musculoskeletal complaints and better prepare you for
the in-training and ABIM board exams

Study Procedures
If you agree to participate in this study, we would ask you to do the following: participate in a
structured learning small group environment in which the Rheumatology staff will guide you
through common musculoskeletal complaints and physical exam. We will ask you to complete a
pre-survey and a post-survey to assess the overall effectiveness of the teaching session. Your
answers and participation will remain anonymous.

Risks of Study Participation
The study has the following risks: disclosure of personal information. We will do everything in our
power to keep you anonymous in the study. We will not collect your names or other identifying
information. We will keep the results of the data we collect securely stored on a password protected
computer.

Benefits of Study Participation
The benefits to study participation are: Improved understanding of common musculoskeletal
complaints and musculoskeletal exam. Increased performance on in-training and ABIM board
exams on the topic of Rheumatology.

Study Costs/Compensation
You will incur no costs. Compensation will be offered to all participants in the form of a $20
Amazon Gift Card.

Confidentiality
The records of this study will be kept private. In any publications or presentations, we will not
include any information that will make it possible to identify you as a subject. Your record for the
study may, however, be reviewed by study co-investigators and by departments at the HCMC with
appropriate regulatory oversight. All information gathered for this study will NOT be included in
your personal academic or medical record. To these extents, confidentiality is not absolute. Study
data will be encrypted according to current HCMC policy for protection of confidentiality.

Protected Health Information (PHI)
None of your health records will be accessed or utilized for this study.

Voluntary Nature of the Study
Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate in this study will
not affect your current or future relations with HCMC. If you decide to participate, you are free to
withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.

Contacts and Questions
The researchers conducting this study are Rawad Nasr, MD, Linh Ngo, DO, Zaki Abou Zahr, MD,
Eric Miller, MD and Cassedy Mahrer, MD. You may ask any questions you have now, or if you
have questions later, you are encouraged to contact them at 612-873-6963