This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Burns, D. Articles by Carlson, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Burns, D. Articles by Carlson, J. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Effective Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Older Members of Rural Minorities

From the School of Nursing at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (Dr Burns); the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Ms Soward, Dr Skelly, Dr Leeman, Mr Carlson).

Correspondence to Dorothy Burns, PhD, RN, the Symptoms Study, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, CB #7460 Carrington Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (dorothy.9{at}netzero.com).

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to describe effective recruitment and retention strategies used in a community-based intervention study for older, rural African American women with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

The study's design was a randomized control test using a 3-group experimental design in a sample of 180 older, rural African American women (55 years of age and older), with type 2 diabetes. The study employed a range of strategies to successfully recruit and retain older African American women. These strategies were initially developed based on a review of the literature and the investigators' prior experience. They were modified as the research progressed.

Results

More than a quarter of the participants were recruited from outpatient clinics. In-person outreach to health care providers was essential to engage and retain their help in recruiting patients. The research team made it easy and rewarding for women to participate in the study by providing a toll-free phone number, culturally appropriate intervention materials, intervention in the home, and incentives. Developing a relationship of trust with participants and the community was critical throughout the study period. Through the use of these strategies, the target enrollment of 180 women was met with 91% retention rate at the completion of the study.

Conclusion

The use of multiple strategies can enhance recruitment and retention of rural, older African American women into a research study. Strategies are most effective when they build a relationship of trust with participants and the community and make it easy and rewarding for women to participate.

The Diabetes Educator, Vol. 34, No. 6, 1045-1052 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0145721708325764


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?