3.7.3 Maximising practice and patient recruitment in primary care research: A research nurse perspective (18)
Claire Leathem, Clinical Academic Research Nurse, General Practice, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Co authors: Margaret Cupples, Mary Byrne, Andrew Murphy & Susan Smith
Abstract:
Introduction:
The challenge of successfully recruiting and retaining patients and healthcare providers to participate in research studies requiring changes in their everyday practice has been reported widely. Maintaining facilitative and supportive relationships throughout the duration of a study without compromising standards of good clinical practice and scientific rigour is an endeavor that may be likened to juggling numerous fragile balls. Practical guidance for researchers seeking maximal recruitment to randomised controlled trials (RCT) is scant.
Aim:
To identify practical guidance for improving recruitment to future research studies based on the experience of issues encountered in a cluster RCT of an intervention for secondary prevention in coronary heart disease.
Method:
A stepped approach delivered information about the study, matching details provided to questions asked after initial contact and ensured support provided was tailored to changes in the research setting. Focus groups and interviews were conducted amongst purposively selected samples of practice staff and patients exploring issues surrounding recruitment. Forty eight general practices located across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and 909 patients were recruited.
Data collection began:
December 2004 and completed July 2007.
Results:
Allocating sufficient time in the recruitment process for the identification of eligible participants is vital and required the cooperation of staff involved in health service administration and clinical staff. Practice staff who participated reported appreciation of tailoring of the delivery of information and support to meet their needs. Qualitative findings suggested participants were encouraged to take part by receiving clear information about the study, an invitation linked to their own practice and a helpline telephone number. Identifying eligible
Conclusion:
Ensuring the participation of adequate numbers of practices and patients in randomised controlled trials allows increased confidence in the representativeness, validity and generalisability of study results. This has direct implications for both patient care and clinical outcomes.
Recommended reading list:
- Affleck, P. (2005). The challenge of recruitment. Nurse Researcher, 13(1), 78-84
- Badger,F., and Werrett, J. (2005). Room for improvement? Reporting response rates and recruitment in nursing research in the past decade. Journal of Advanced Nursing 51, (5) 502-510
- Dolan, G., Broomfield, J., Lewith, G., & Watkins, A. (1999).Operational and resource management of an RCT: some of the pitfalls and lessons learned. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 8(4), 389-395
Source of Funding: Non UK
Level of funding: 500,001 - 1,000,000
Biography:
My research career began when I took up the post of a clinical research nurse for the Medical Research Council (MRC) in 1989 working on clinical trials in primary care. Thoroughly enjoying every aspect of the job I have endeavored to stay in research ever since. In 1994 I was promoted to the role of Regional Nurse Trainer for Northern Ireland which involved traveling around Northern Ireland training and supporting practice nurses and GP's enabling them to take part in MRC research studies. I am currently the lead academic research nurse in the largest primary care research study in Ireland.