Recruitment logistics

This section contains the following:

Introduction
Things to consider
Illustrative example 1
Additional resources
Further reading

Introduction

It is important to consider the surroundings where the trial is going to be discussed with a potential participant. Wherever possible a room should be designated for this purpose so that the potential participant can hear in detail about the trial and also be able to ask any questions they may have in privacy.

Consider visiting the participating centers to talk to those who will be recruiting and review where trial recruitment can take place.

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Things to consider

Who will recruit, research nurse, clinical specialist, recruitment coordinator. In all these case it is important that staff are trained in Good Clinical Practice and ethics as well as the procedures as laid down in the trial management file.
When recruitment takes place will be specified initially in the protocol, trial flow chart and then in the trial management file.

Illustrative example 1 Patients' perspectives on participation in RCTS

In a study looking at factors influencing patient participation in RCTs one interviewee commented on the importance of the surroundings for the appointment.

"I was quite surprised actually that it was there, because I thought when people are, you know, taking the bother to take part in research you would think it might be held somewhere a bit nicer, you know, and it's a bit old, it's really dilapidated that place I think.... I just think I've been there before and I was quite surprised at the sort of bareness of everything, you know, the rooms and ...it's not very welcoming...because normally you would think if you're going to go to the bother of doing something like that, it would be somewhere nicer, but I mean I think so anyway...that is something i did think of, and I knew in fact when I got the letter in, that was something that surprised me, that it was going to be at (name of site)."

Research by McCann SK link to research focus

Additional resources

Checklist of barriers to participation in research

Adapted from Strategies to improve recruitment to research studies. Mapstone et al. 2007.

INVOLVE

The INVOLVE website was established to promote public involvement in research, in order to improve the way that research is prioritised, commissioned, undertaken, communicated and used.

The 'Get randomised' campaign

'Get randomised' is a collaboration between four Scottish universities that aims to encourage people to take part in randomised controlled trials. The website provides some clear information about trials together with a collection of short videos. Some of the videos were broadcast on Scottish TV; the one below is one of these. Can't see the audio controller? Play it in your media player.