BACKGROUND: Achieving sample size is imperative to obtaining sufficient power to detect potential effects in health care research, yet many research studies are prone to under-recruitment. Not only does this create problems with power but also it contributes to research extensions, additional costs and delayed results. To combat this problem, one increasingly used technique is database recruitment, a method of searching the electronic medical records system for potential research participants. OBJECTIVE: We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of identifying potential research participants using database recruitment with particular reference to primary care. CONCLUSION: Database recruitment is a relatively simple and affordable means to recruit large numbers of patients in a timely manner; however, it is not without limitations.
BACKGROUND: Achieving sample size is imperative to obtaining sufficient power to detect potential effects in health care research, yet many research studies are prone to under-recruitment. Not only does this create problems with power but also it contributes to research extensions, additional costs and delayed results. To combat this problem, one increasingly used technique is database recruitment, a method of searching the electronic medical records system for potential research participants. OBJECTIVE: We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of identifying potential research participants using database recruitment with particular reference to primary care. CONCLUSION: Database recruitment is a relatively simple and affordable means to recruit large numbers of patients in a timely manner; however, it is not without limitations.
Authors: Marquis S Hawkins; Linda J Hough; Marie A Berger; Maria K Mor; Ann R Steenkiste; Shasha Gao; Roslyn A Stone; Kelly H Burkitt; Bess H Marcus; Joseph T Ciccolo; Andrea M Kriska; Deborah T Klinvex; Mary A Sevick Journal: Trials Date: 2014-01-07 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Felicity Callard; Matthew Broadbent; Mike Denis; Matthew Hotopf; Murat Soncul; Til Wykes; Simon Lovestone; Robert Stewart Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-12-02 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Gail Mountain; Gill Windle; Daniel Hind; Stephen Walters; Anju Keertharuth; Robin Chatters; Kirsty Sprange; Claire Craig; Sarah Cook; Ellen Lee; Tim Chater; R Woods; Louise Newbould; Lauren Powell; Katy Shortland; Jennifer Roberts Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2017-07-01 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Stephen J Walters; Inês Bonacho Dos Anjos Henriques-Cadby; Oscar Bortolami; Laura Flight; Daniel Hind; Richard M Jacques; Christopher Knox; Ben Nadin; Joanne Rothwell; Michael Surtees; Steven A Julious Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-03-20 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Katie Whiteside; Lydia Flett; Alex Mitchell; Caroline Fairhurst; Sarah Cockayne; Sara Rodgers; David Torgerson Journal: F1000Res Date: 2019-03-21