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RESEARCH ON TEENS WHO HAVE RECEIVED INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CARE

This page gives you important information about the research study of teens who have received inpatient psychiatric care.  This study being conducted at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. 

 

Why is this study being conducted?

  • The purpose of this study is to learn about the development of decision making and clinical symptoms of teens who have received inpatient psychiatric treatment. This study will allow us to determine how teens’ personal characteristics and treatment predict outcomes in adolescence and early adulthood. Information from this study will help us to inform clinicians about treatment and prevention programs for teens who are experiencing mental health and/or behavioral concerns.

How can you contact study staff?

 

Why do some teens receive inpatient psychiatric care?

The most common causes for individuals to receive inpatient treatment are:

  • Serious threat of harm to yourself or others
  • If their counselor/therapist or psychiatrist cannot meet their treatment needs on an outpatient basis

What are the study procedures?

  • This study involves assessment of psychiatric symptoms, health history, and measures of decision making.
  • Psychiatric symptoms (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc) and health history are measured by both questionnaires and conversations with our clinical staff. Both the teen and a parent/guardian are asked these questions about the teen.
  • Decision making (e.g. reaction time, attention, memory) are measured by computer tests that the teen performs.
  • Also, a small amount of blood will be drawn in order to check for a compound called serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter, helps with decision making and other bodily processes.

How long will study participation take?

  • The first appointment will last between 3 to 4 hours but, can last longer. The follow-up appointments, however, last about 2 to 3 hours. Follow-up appointments will occur every 6 months for a total of 2 visits per year.

Who is eligible to take part in the study?

  • Teens (12-17 years old) who have received inpatient psychiatric care would be able to participate in this study. A parent or legal guardian is also asked to take part to provide their perspective on the teens’ medical history and adjustment.

What are factors that can disqualify you from this study?

  • If the teen has not received inpatient psychiatric care
  • If the teen has been diagnosed or treated for a significant medical problem that might impair their performance on some of our measures of decision making (e.g. seizures or head trauma)
  • If the parent/legal guardian cannot give permission for the teen to participate in the research study

How is study eligibility determined?

  • Families (parent/legal guardians and teens) will come to University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) for an initial visit.
  • The eligibility assessment includes questionnaires and conversations with our clinical staff about the teens' health and treatment history.

The informed consent process.

  • Before any procedures are performed, the staff will explain the study procedures, benefits, risks, and confidentiality to the family and the teen. To assist with informing the family of what to expect we will review a "consent form" which outlines all the important aspects of the study. If both the family and the teen gives consent to take part, we will conduct the eligibility assessment.
  • The consent to take part in the study is an ongoing process. We will continue to make sure that this study is practical for your family throughout the study.

Your decision to take part:

  • Taking part in this study is always voluntary. If at any time you wish to discontinue your participation that is your choice. Discontinuing your participation in the study will not impact any other services you receive from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

What are the benefits of taking part in the study?

  • Your family may not receive any personal benefits from taking part in this research study, but we are hoping the information provided from our families will help us learn how to help other people with similar conditions in the future.

What compensation is given for taking part in the study?

  • The teen will be paid $125 and $100 will be given to their parent/guardian for completing the initial visit.
  • Both the teen and the parent/guardian for participating are each paid $100 for completing each follow-up visit, which occurs every 6 months.

What are the risks of taking part in the study?

  • A risk in taking part in this research study is providing information that you and your parent/guardian consider confidential or private. If you decide to take part in this research study, you will be required to give us information about your health history, your life experiences that may affect your health, and your experience with drugs and alcohol. We have many procedures that we follow to protect your privacy and confidentiality (including the way your data is recorded and secured and your information is protected).
  • There are some situations when we would have to release your information to others. These include if you are in immediate need of medical attention, if you indicate that you are going to harm yourself or others, or if you have experienced abuse or neglect.
  • Another risk is the potential for some discomfort, bruising, or slight bleeding from the blood draw. This procedure is only conducted one time during the study and our trained staff members and physician’s assistants have experience and procedures to reduce this risk.

How is my privacy protected?

  • This information that we learn about your family is treated as private and confidential.
    We will not share the information given unless someone needs immediate medical attention,
    someone indicates that they are going to harm themselves or others, if someone has experienced abuse or neglect.
  • Your information will be filed by a coded number rather than by your name or other public health identifiers.
  • Your information is stored in locked or encrypted secure format.
  • We have taken extra steps in order to protect your privacy.  
    We have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the National Institute on Mental Health.  
    This Certificate protects the research team from being forced to tell people that are not connected with this study
    about your participation, even under a subpoena.
  • If the results of this study are reported in medical journals or at meetings, the families that participate in our research study will not be identified.
  • We do not use this page to collect or store any information.  All information is kept at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Where is this study being conducted?

  • We are located in the University Plaza Building of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
  • Our physical Address is 7526 Louis Pasteur Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
  • Map & Directions

Who funds this research?

  • National Institutes of Mental Health funds this research as part of its mission to "transform the understanding
    and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure".

Conflict of Interest.

  • None of the research team has any financial relationships that would influence the way that the study is conducted.

How can you contact study staff?

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