B S Samsudeen1, A Douglas, R S Bhopal. 1. Edinburgh Ethnicity and Health Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recruitment of ethnic minority groups into trials is important. This was studied from the recruiters' perspective in the Prevention of Diabetes and Obesity in South Asians (PODOSA) trial. METHODS: Semi-quantitative questionnaire survey of all 22 health professionals and 27 community workers involved in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Numbers and proportions were tabulated, while free-text responses were grouped into themes. RESULTS: The response rate was 40/49 (82%). In the closed questions, family responsibilities, prior general practitioner screening and low interest were the main factors reported by recruiters as hindering referrals (each 28%), followed by fear of needle pricks and finding out their diabetes status (each 23%). The importance of the prevention of diabetes (60%), explaining the trial in a South Asian language (46%), verbal dialogue (43%) and the recruiter's personal relationship with the recruitee (40%) favoured referrals. Health professionals' perceived strength was their knowledge of diabetes (66%), and community workers' strength was explaining the trial in South Asian languages (65%). Strategies to improve recruitment included stronger partnership between researchers and community organizations. The open-ended response identified seven main themes: (1) shortage of recruiters' and recruitees' time; (2) poor understanding of the trial by recruitees; (3) lack of knowledge about the disease among recruitees; (4) lack of motivation and interest among recruitees; (5) delay in receiving appointments from the PODOSA team; (6) mistrust of research; and (7) narrow entry criteria. CONCLUSION: These insights into recruiters' perspectives should help trialists improve participation by ethnic minority populations.
BACKGROUND: Recruitment of ethnic minority groups into trials is important. This was studied from the recruiters' perspective in the Prevention of Diabetes and Obesity in South Asians (PODOSA) trial. METHODS: Semi-quantitative questionnaire survey of all 22 health professionals and 27 community workers involved in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Numbers and proportions were tabulated, while free-text responses were grouped into themes. RESULTS: The response rate was 40/49 (82%). In the closed questions, family responsibilities, prior general practitioner screening and low interest were the main factors reported by recruiters as hindering referrals (each 28%), followed by fear of needle pricks and finding out their diabetes status (each 23%). The importance of the prevention of diabetes (60%), explaining the trial in a South Asian language (46%), verbal dialogue (43%) and the recruiter's personal relationship with the recruitee (40%) favoured referrals. Health professionals' perceived strength was their knowledge of diabetes (66%), and community workers' strength was explaining the trial in South Asian languages (65%). Strategies to improve recruitment included stronger partnership between researchers and community organizations. The open-ended response identified seven main themes: (1) shortage of recruiters' and recruitees' time; (2) poor understanding of the trial by recruitees; (3) lack of knowledge about the disease among recruitees; (4) lack of motivation and interest among recruitees; (5) delay in receiving appointments from the PODOSA team; (6) mistrust of research; and (7) narrow entry criteria. CONCLUSION: These insights into recruiters' perspectives should help trialists improve participation by ethnic minority populations.
Authors: Namratha R Kandula; Swapna Dave; Peter John De Chavez; David X Marquez; Himali Bharucha; Shinu Mammen; Andrea Dunaif; Ronald T Ackermann; Santosh Kumar; Juned Siddique Journal: Transl J Am Coll Sports Med Date: 2016-06-15
Authors: Anne Douglas; Raj S Bhopal; Ruby Bhopal; John F Forbes; Jason M R Gill; John McKnight; Gordon Murray; Naveed Sattar; Anu Sharma; Sunita Wallia; Sarah Wild; Aziz Sheikh Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2013-02-22 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Anne Douglas; Raj S Bhopal; Ruby Bhopal; John F Forbes; Jason M R Gill; Julia Lawton; John McKnight; Gordon Murray; Naveed Sattar; Anu Sharma; Jaakko Tuomilehto; Sunita Wallia; Sarah H Wild; Aziz Sheikh Journal: Trials Date: 2011-10-06 Impact factor: 2.279