Guidelines for Evaluating the Feasibility of Recruitment in Pilot Studies of Diverse Populations: An Overlooked but Important Component

Abstract

Background: In health disparities research, studies often fall short of their recruitment goals. Conducting a pilot feasibility study of recruitment in which data are collected systematically on recruitment processes can help investigators refine methods for the larger study. However, there are few guide­lines for conducting pilot feasibility studies, and recruitment methods are seldom the focus. Feasibility indicators differ from traditional reports of recruitment results by focusing on the extent to which recruitment goals are met.Methods: We present an organizing frame­work for assessing the feasibility of recruit­ment that includes eight steps, briefly: 1) specify recruitment goals; 2) specify recruit­ment processes; 3) establish a tracking sys­tem for each individual; 4) establish a track­ing database for monitoring processes and results; 5) implement recruitment and track each individual’s progress; 6) summarize re­cruitment results; 7) calculate and interpret feasibility measures - were goals met; and 8) if goals were not met, utilize tracking data to modify methods for the larger study. We describe methods within each step, with added details for steps 2-5 (the specific pro­cesses). The framework draws from a small literature on recruitment feasibility with a focus on health disparities populations. The guidelines blend well-known methods of recruitment with additional information on calculating feasibility indicators.Conclusion: These guidelines provide a first step in thinking systematically about recruitment feasibility, to advance the field of measuring feasibility. Feasibility indicators also can be used to track the effectiveness of innovative recruitment strategies as part of building the science of recruitment, es­pecially in disparities populations. Ethn Dis. 2020; 30(Suppl 2):745-754; doi:10.18865/ed.30.S2.745

Preliminary Evaluation of a Citizen Scientist Educational Curriculum Aimed at Engaging Black Men in Lung Cancer Early Detection Screening

“…Most pilot feasibility studies explore several methods and procedures such as recruitment of participants, delivery of an intervention, benefits of the intervention as designed, and retention ( Stewart et al, 2020 ). Indeed, feasibility testing is an important but often overlooked aspect of intervention development for diverse populations ( Stewart et al., 2020 ). In terms of recruitment, we achieved our goal of engaging eight African American males from diverse parts of the metropolitan area.…”

Mapping implementation strategies to reach community-dwelling older adults in Northwest Switzerland

“…To track the delivery of the strategy-associated activities by the IAC management and compare them to the original plan, we developed a tracking system following the guide of Stewart et. al (31). This system included: information describing the target member of the public; implementation strategies; activities associated to each strategy; dose and frequency (planned and delivered); and number of individuals receiving the strategy in two time points (T1 = before the opening of the IAC and T2 = after the opening of the IAC).…”

Applying mixed methods to pilot feasibility studies to inform intervention trials

“…Many factors can affect these feasibility domains, including providers’ and other professionals’ willingness and ability to assist with recruitment, participants’ time, capacity, and interest in completing assessments and participating in the intervention and whether the research team has the expertise, skills, space, and time to conduct the study [ 4 ]. Pilot feasibility testing becomes more complex when research is conducted with populations historically underrepresented in clinical trials [ 12 , 13 ] and in low-resource settings that present significant organizational, cultural, and infrastructure challenges [ 14 ].…”

“…Investigators often use pre-specified criteria to evaluate feasibility domains and determine whether or how to proceed with a future trial [ 15 ]; however, there has been limited guidance on what should be considered when formulating progression criteria [ 15 ]. Investigators commonly use quantitative metrics such as recruitment and retention rates to determine whether or not pre-specified feasibility criteria and milestones were met to signal that the research can advance to the next stage of testing [ 7 , 13 , 16 ]. However, applying binary indicators of feasibility provides limited information about why aspects of intervention or study procedures were or were not feasible and what improvements are needed to enhance feasibility [ 17 ].…”