I am currently preparing my study on physical activity promotion in older Malaysians. My sample is not that small (about 200 people) and I am thinking of how to recruit them, and also retain them (9 months, 4 times data collection). I have read a few papers and also consulted some of the people from the community. I have a budget, but I can't spend all that much (want to avoid confounding as well). Please share your experience, or any information that you have.
Doing clínical research at several big hospitals at Mexico City and having the opportunity to make some comparations with colleagues and friends from high resources countries ,we have found some advantages for recruiting participants under the so called "developing countries".
1.- most people are willing to participate at our studies mostly when they receive attention and subsequently some relief procedure for home work, not need to add payments for coming.
2.- it has become more important to improve the "inform consent" procedures mainly when results from participants going beyond their own boundaries and knowledge.
3.- my own clinical experience with older adults at this kind of setting have being positive they show high adherence levels in spite of competing" mortality" ( around 30 to 40 %) real one and social one many of my patients have problems with arriving on time to our meetings due to cost, and availability of appropriate mass transportation
Andre, you might find a recent article in The Wall Street Journal helpful related to this: Data Mining to Recruit Sick People, The Wall Street Journal, Tuesday, December 17, 2013, B1-B2. The article deals with companies that specialize in patient recruitment for clinical trials using such data points from age, race to shopping habits - all for direct pitches to anticipate in research.
Benjamin, thanks for your insights. Money is indeed not the way. I think the attention and care is the key. I am working on a strategy that will hopefully be successful. I will basically conduct a behavior change (intervention study) and need people to really adhere. Thanks again.
William, I just read the article and consulted some other sources. Its a nice read and this kind of profiling is something I do consider as well. I kind of have a relatively good idea how "my people" are. However, companies like this are not really existent here and it would be hard to afford such things. But, some ideas can be simply utilized. (I am not going into the ethical issues...even though it is a major issue).
Hi Andre:
My experience is that you can expand your network for recruitment much bigger, if you are able to collaborate with some local service or community agencies there, particularly for those that target older adults. You may need to spell out what sample that you would like to include, and their relative representation, e.g, how many are socially active, vs. socially dormant, etc. Plus offering the agency staff some training (e.g. obtaining informed consent) and guidelines for doing the initial recruitment. Of course you have to provide the agency with some incentives, such as training that you offering, elevating their social / international profile, or honoring them in a specific way. But beware of the intrigue dynamics between agencies in the same community.
Wish you success.
Best.
KC
Thanks a lot KC. I am already mapping out a strategy to exactly this. I have 2-3 associations who will support me. However, given the infrastrucutural circumstances it is challenging. I am thinking of giving workshops, small financial incentives and certificates.Its going to be a hard but hopefully rewarding process.
Hi Andre, I think recruiting elderly people is not a big problem since you have clear criteria for inclusion and exclusion of their study. The most important thing is to make a drawing of your research that can maintain the adherence of these subjects throughout the study. I think the 9 moths is a very long time. Check what your endpoint and then make the methodology. For instance: If you want to study depression in the elderly, seek to know the education of this population, individual income, marital status, and other socio demographic data. Inclusion criteria and strokes define: a proper study and success in their results throughout the research. There are websites that can assist you in making an inventory or survey for recruiting research subjects. I think it's a good idea!
Have a great research and success for you and your team,
Livia Valentin
I am well aware of these issues and will develop something in order to get people back. I will keep you posted here.
Andre
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