From: A thematic analysis of factors influencing recruitment to maternal and perinatal trials
For participants: |
   • provide information that is important to participants (not researchers) |
   • use a personalised approach in terms of method and timing of approach and request for consent to participate |
   • make it easy to participate by making trial protocol not too onerous |
   • use different methods for reaching participants including pamphlets, telephone and mass media |
   • increase transparency of information provided about treatment and research to help potential participants understand need for trial |
   • assure potential participants there will be no compromise in care if they choose not to participate |
For clinicians and participating clinical units/centres: |
   • education for staff including communication skills training for potential recruiters |
   • provide feedback and information to all involved |
   • recognition of contribution through acknowledgement in any publications or where appropriate joint authorship |
   • incentives (usually tangible) for reaching recruitment targets |
   • use of mass media |
   • communication and support |
   • make recruitment easy for recruiters |
   • develop an important and clinically relevant question |
   • have multidisciplinary input (especially unit directors) into trial design to help ensure 'buy-in' from all relevant stakeholders |
   • reduce impact of participation on units by having a dedicated research team and a centrally funded researcher who specific role is trial recruitment |
   • build relationships within participating centres by identifying and nurturing local contacts and local facilitators and also people likely to influence others |
Organisational culture |
   • research should be seen as 'standard care' therefore recruitment to clinical trials seen as normal part of clinical practice |
   • institution is committed to high quality research |