FAQs

For COPPAR Participants

How long does it take to do study visit?

Your participation will begin at your regularly scheduled visit with your dermatologist or rheumatologist and will continue every 6 months for the next 5 years. Phone call Interviews usually take 30 min-60 minutes, and surveys will be sent over emails, and you can fill them out whenever you have time.

How can we participate in the study under COVID-pandemic?

Our research staff are wearing masks which is compliant with the MGB infection control policy. To minimize in-person interaction, we interview the participants over phone calls and communicate over emails. You can still participate in the study visit when your clinical visit is a virtual visit.

What should I do if I want to reschedule an interview call or have questions about online surveys and the study visit?

You can call us at 617-732-5083, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm or email at coppar@bwh.harvard.edu to reschedule your call or contact, research staff.

What are the possible benefits from being in this research study?

Participation in this research study will not likely benefit you directly. The information and samples you provide, however, may help us better understand, prevent, treat or cure PsO or PsA.

Will I be paid to take part in this research study?

We will reimburse you up to $15.00 for 2-hrs parking expenses when completing our study visits.

What should I do if I want to stop taking part in the study?

If you participate in this research study, please let us know whenever you want to drop out of the study. We will make sure that you stop the study safely. Your decision won’t change the medical care you get within MGB now or in the future.

If I have questions or concerns about this research study, whom can I call?

You can call us at 617-732-5083, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm or email at coppar@bwh.harvard.edu to reschedule your call or contact, research staff.

What are the possible benefits from being in this research study?

Participation in this research study will not likely benefit you directly. The information and samples you provide, however, may help us better understand, prevent, treat or cure PsO or PsA.

Will I be paid to take part in this research study?

We will reimburse you up to $15.00 for 2-hrs parking expenses when completing our study visits.

What should I do if I want to stop taking part in the study?

If you participate in this research study, please let us know whenever you want to drop out of the study. We will make sure that you stop the study safely. Your decision won’t change the medical care you get within MGB now or in the future.

For Patients who are Eligible for Research Tissue Bank

I am interested in providing skin samples. What will happen if I take part in the research tissue bank?

If you decide to participate in an optional part of the research study, a licensed physician will ask you to provide a maximum of two skin biopsies (from your psoriasis plaques) and collect the skin biopsy. As part of this study, we will collect two skin samples (biopsies) from your psoriasis plaques, not from healthy skin. First, the area where the biopsy is taken is cleaned with alcohol. You will have an injection of numbing (lidocaine) into the area. The injection may cause you some brief pain. Then, the study doctor will remove the piece of skin around ¼ of an inch (4mm), about the size and shape of a pencil eraser. The study doctor will close your wound with one or two stitches. You will be scheduled for a follow-up visit 5 to 14 days after the procedure to evaluate the biopsy site and stitches.

Will I be paid for my samples?

You will receive a $50 check to provide your samples after we collect your samples for the research.