Challenges to and strategies for recruiting chronic care dyads into intervention research

• Published in: Chronic illness 2021-09, Vol.17 (3), p.232-241
• Main Authors: Whitlatch, Carol J, Orsulic-Jeras, Silvia, Johnson, Justin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advisory committees; Caregivers; Challenges; Chronic illnesses; Disease management; Human subjects; Medical research; Objectives; Older people; Partnerships; Psychosocial factors; Psychosocial intervention; Recruitment
• ISSN: 1742-3953; 1745-9206
• DOI: 10.1177/1742395319869434

Objectives Recruiting and enrolling appropriate participants into research trials for chronic illness populations can be challenging and time intensive. Successful recruitment requires a variety of strategies that may change as the study progresses. This paper reports on the challenges of and actions taken for recruiting and enrolling into research families living with chronic illnesses. Methods We draw on our experiences from over 20 years of research enrolling older adults and their family caregivers (care dyads) into psychosocial research trials. Barriers and actions taken to challenges of recruiting care dyads are presented that can help future investigators meet their recruitment goals in a timely and efficient manner. Results Despite efforts of an Advisory Committee, numerous community partnerships, and other attempts to boost enrollment, our recruitment goals were not met. Barriers to meeting these goals are described (e.g. partner site staff turnover, lack of site “champion”) and potential actions taken. Discussion This paper examines the challenges experienced recruiting appropriate chronic illness dyads into a psychosocial intervention as well as the various recruitment strategies that were used in an attempt to reach recruitment goals.