Title: Validation of the Optimal Health Wheel (OHWL): Pathway towards a more sensitive assessment of life satisfaction

Principal Investigator: Professor David Castle

Associate Investigator: Dr Gaye Moore, Bridey Rudd, Dr Eric Tan, Victor Vuu, and Belinda Muscat

Location: St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne



Dear Participant,



You are invited to participate in the research project described below.



What is the project about?

The research project investigates the validity of a self-assessment tool used to assess a person's satisfaction under six domains of health: emotional, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual (values), and occupational. The study aims to validate and expand the use of the OHWL, as an integral part of the Optimal Health Program (OHP). OHP is a self-management program that is the result of years of research which builds on an individual’s strengths and promotes self-efficacy and hope. The validation of the OHWL will mean that the instrument can support other research to identify benefits and support the delivery of psycho-educational programs. The OHWL also has an important visual capacity to engage participants and be easily transferred into a digital representation on an App for an Iphone or Ipad. The OHWL facilitates discussion with participants to explore their wellbeing and develop appropriate strategies to manage their health and wellbeing. This will support the therapeutic relationship and will be able to track the trajectory of a patient's journey and recovery.



Who is undertaking the project?

This project is being undertaken by the Frameworks for Health team at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the team at I.ROC Wellbeing Penumbra Scotland. The I.ROC has been included in this survey as a validated recovery outcome tool with additional questions that build on the knowledge around wellbeing.



Are there any risks associated with participating in this project?

There are minimal foreseeable risks associated with participating in this online survey. Participation in the study should involve no physical or mental discomfort. If, however you should find any question or procedure to be invasive or offensive, you are free to omit answering or participating in that aspect of the study.



What will I be asked to do?

Participants will be asked to complete an online self-report questionnaire including questions about demographic information, (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity, education, employment, and marital status), satisfaction with health and well-being.



How much time will the project take?

Participation in this survey will take approximately 30 minutes.



What are the benefits of the research project?

There are no direct benefits of participation. However, the questions may increase your awareness of your well-being and prompt further questions in this area, which we are happy to respond to. In validating this self-assessment tool, we will significantly increase our ability to evaluate the impact of the Optimal Health Program on individuals’ health and well-being.



Can I withdraw from the study?

Participation in this study is completely voluntary. You are not under any obligation to participate. If you agree to participate, you can withdraw from the study at any time without adverse consequences. If you wish to withdraw, simply omit answering any remaining questions in the survey or exit the survey before submitting it.



Will anyone else know the results of the project?

Your participation in the project is anonymous. Any data that you do provide will be accessible only to the investigators. The data you provide will only be used for the specific research purposes of this study.