Q & A

Questions & Answers

How are you dealing with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic?

We typically conduct our appointments in-person at our research offices in New York City and Rochester, NY. However, in order to protect the health and safety of both participants and staff, we have suspended all in-person visits. We are now doing virtual sessions for enrollment and surveys online, and you can participate in the study from home. We expect to go back to in-person visits at a later date.

What if I’m not able to complete the survey from home – can I still participate?

If you don’t have the ability to complete the survey from your own home for whatever reason, you may still be able to participate at a later date. You can contact our study staff any time to complete an eligibility screening. If you are eligible for our wait list, we can contact you when we go back to in-person appointments.

When will you go back to in-person appointments?

At this point, we don’t know. Things continue to change all the time. We want to make sure that we’re doing our best to keep everyone involved in the study safe, and will make any decision based on medical and public health guidelines.

How do I find out if I’m eligible to participate in the study?

You can find out if you’re eligible for the study by calling Leilani at 646-588-8449 or Robert at 646-599-5799 in New York City or Deepa at 585-746-6371 in Rochester, NY.  If you want to do an initial informational screening, you can check out this form right here online.

What if I don’t live in New York City or Rochester, NY, can I still enroll in the study?

We only have office locations in New York City and the City of Rochester, NY.  Right now, during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, we are conducting virtual session appointments from home. We expect to go back to in-person appointments when it is safe to do so, which will include some testing that is part of the study. So, if you enroll in the study now, all study activities will be conducted by phone or the internet, but we will expect you to travel to visit our research offices once we resume in-person research activities.  If you live outside of New York City or Rochester but you are willing to travel in to one of these locations once we return to in-person appointments, then you can enroll.

Can transgender women participate in the study?

Sorry, right now our study is only accepting cisgender women; those assigned female at birth. This is because there are certain biological factors unique to cisgender women and their reproductive health that are part of our study.

I work during the week. Can I make an appointment on off-hours?

Yes, we understand that people work and have other obligations during the weekday. We encourage you to contact our study staff who will try to make an appointment at a time that is convenient for you.

Will I have to be taking or not taking PrEP (Truvada/DESCOVY) or start PrEP to be part of the WISE study?

You can participate in the WISE study without starting or being on PrEP (Truvada/Descovy). Although understanding PrEP use among women who may be at risk for HIV is an important part of our study, there is no requirement for women to be taking or not taking PrEP to enroll in and remain in the study.

Where can I get more information about this study?

The best way to get more information about the study is to text or call us at 646-588-8449
or 646-599-5799 in New York City or 585-746-6371 in Rochester, NY, and speak with one of
our very friendly study staff. They can answer all your questions. You can also email any
questions you have to us, and we’ll be happy to answer them. Another good source of
information is right here on our website. Start at the home page.

Is the WISE Study like a clinical trial?

No. The WISE study is not a clinical trial because we are not testing any new drugs or any treatments, we are just asking you to complete a survey once every three months and take some tests.

Will my past history prevent me from participating in this study, like past drug use or incarceration?

No, not at all. We welcome all people with past histories like you describe. You can easily find out if you are eligible for the study by calling us at 646-588-8449 in New York City or 585-746-6371 in Rochester, NY, or filling-out an eligibility form right here online.

Where will the interviews take place? Where will I have to go?

During the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, we have transitioned our study to be completely online, and are conducting virtual sessions. You will speak to study staff and complete the survey from the privacy of your own home. We will reopen our research offices in New York City and Rochester, NY for in-person appointments at a later date.

What is this study about?

Broadly speaking, the WISE study is about the sexual health and well-being of women who are at risk for HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A central part of the study is to learn more about women’s use of drugs known as PrEP (brand names Truvada and Descovy). Our ultimate goal is to allow women’s voices to be heard and their sexual health needs to be met. The knowledge gained from women in the WISE study will help to develop and improve services designed specifically for women, especially women of color.

Is this a paid study or will I be charged for participating?

You will be paid for your time and effort if you participate in the study. It’s only fair. For each research visit you attend, we will pay you $75.

Will there be multiple visits or just one?

Multiple visits. In addition to the first session to enroll in the study and complete a “baseline” survey, study participants will be expected to complete a follow-up appointment every 3 months for up to 5 sessions in total: the first session, plus at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months after that. For now, we are not doing any in-person visits and you will be able to do everything from home.

Will my doctor know that I am enrolled in this study?

We will not contact your doctor directly to tell them that you are participating in the study. However, with your permission we will request selected medical records from your doctor’s office and it is possible that your doctor may find out about your participation in the study at that time.

Should I inform my doctor that I am enrolled in this study?

It is completely up to you whether or not you want to tell your doctor about your participation in the study. We will not be providing any health care to you in this study, so it will not interfere in any way with the regular care you receive from your doctor.

How long is the interview?

We anticipate that study visits will last for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The initial visit will involve study enrollment and completion of the survey, so the total time for the first visit may be a little longer than subsequent visits.

Will my name and information be disclosed at all e.g. on Facebook or via text messaging, etc?

No. We will never disclose your name. We are very serious about your confidentiality. We do have a Facebook page and a Twitter account. If you link your Facebook page to ours, someone might see that link, depending on your privacy settings. You have control over this.

What if I move during my time in the study, can I still participate?

If you move after you enroll in the study, we will make every effort to keep you in the study.

Contact us and we’ll try to help…

In New York City…
Call or text Leilani (646) 588-8449 or Robert at (646) 599-5799
Email: Leilani@thewisestudy.com

In Rochester, NY…
Call or text Deepa at (585) 746-6371
Email: Deepa@thewisestudy.com