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Table 4 Summary of systematic review findings about recruitment strategies

From: A thematic analysis of factors influencing recruitment to maternal and perinatal trials

Strategies that might improve recruitment (but evidence weak or conflicting)

â–ª Using a trial design without blinding or a placebo group

â–ª Sending a questionnaire related to the trial with the request to participate

â–ª Telephone reminder to non respondents

â–ª Financial incentives for participants

â–ª Interventions tailored to meet the needs of particular minority groups

Strategies not shown to significantly improve recruitment

â–ª Warning potential participants about an impending request for participation

â–ª Using a personalised letter together with a flyer

â–ª Changing information available to potential recruits

â–ª The professional background of the recruiter (doctor vs nurse)

â–ª Visiting trial sites to encourage recruitment

â–ª Changes to consent process

â–ª Collecting patient trial data by internet vs paper methods

  1. This table summarises results from four systematic reviews which altogether considered 33 unique studies comparing different recruitment strategies. [54, 57–59] The reviews all noted that there is insufficient evidence to make strong conclusions about the relative effectiveness of different strategies.
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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

ISSN: 1471-2393

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