A community-informed recruitment plan template to increase recruitment of racial and ethnic groups historically excluded and underrepresented in clinical research

• Published in: Contemporary clinical trials 2023-02, Vol.125, p.107064-107064, Article 107064
• Main Authors: Cunningham-Erves, Jennifer, Joosten, Yvonne, Kusnoor, Sheila V., Mayers, Stephanie A., Ichimura, Jabari, Dunkel, Leah, Israel, Tiffany L., Ray, Devan, Stroud, Mary, Harris, Paul A., Wilkins, Consuelo H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical research; Ethnicity; Humans; Minorities; Minority Groups; Patient Selection; Pilot Projects; Recruitment and retention plan; Research Design; Research participation; Research recruitment; Research retention
• ISSN: 1551-7144; 1559-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.107064

Engaging communities in research planning and implementation can enhance recruitment and retention (R&R) of racial and ethnic groups historically excluded and underrepresented in clinical research; however, most studies do not use community-informed approaches. This paper describes the formative research process used to design a Community-Informed Recruitment Plan Template for racial and ethnic groups historically excluded and underrepresented in clinical research. Using an existing R&R template as a starting point, we iteratively developed and refined the community-informed template through a 3-phase process to achieve cultural-appropriateness. Phase 1 included a literature review, 34 community engagement (CE) studios to review recommendations, community advisory board (CAB) review, and survey data from minority recruitment experts. Phase 2 involved integration of content into existing R&R template. Phase 3 was a final review and revision using input of the CAB and researchers' panel. Survey data collected in Phase 1 were analyzed using descriptives (i.e., frequencies and percentages). Open-ended survey responses were analyzed using inductive, qualitative thematic analysis. The final 8-section template can help develop effective grant or proposal language where study R&R plans are requested. They include: 1) Recruitment Strategy; 2) A Stakeholder Communication Plan; 3) Evidence of Recruitment Feasibility; 4) Recruitment and Retention Team; 5) Recruitment and Retention Methods; 6) Recruitment and Retention Timeline; 7) Evaluation; and 8) Budget. Incorporating multiple perspectives into this formative research process enhances the cultural appropriateness of this community-informed R&R template to help research teams achieve R&R goals for individuals historically excluded and underrepresented in clinical research. •Minoritized groups exhibit disparities in health outcomes.•Clinical trials lack representations of minoritized groups to improve health outcomes.•Use of a community-informed recruitment plan template may increase participation.•A multi-phase, multi-stakeholder process is key to developing an effective culturally-appropriate recruitment template.