Recruitment to randomised trials: strategies for trial enrolment and participation study. The STEPS study

Abstract

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Understanding and Improving Recruitment to Randomised Controlled Trials: Qualitative Research Approaches

“…Reviews have reported that successful RCT recruitment is associated with a number of factors, including addressing clinically important questions at a timely point, employing dedicated research staff, ensuring that staff are trained about trial processes and interventions, and having straightforward data collection [9,10]. In addition, effective strategies to improve recruitment include telephone reminders, financial incentives, open-trial designs where participants know which treatment they are receiving in the trial, and use of opt-out rather than opt-in procedures [3].…”

Participant recruitment to FiCTION, a primary dental care trial – survey of facilitators and barriers

“…The STEPS study which investigated strategies for trial enrolment and participation, found only 31% of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) recruited to time and target. 2 A review by Treweek and colleagues recognised that achieving recruitment is an issue in medical research, and that knowledge on how to increase recruitment at sites participating in a trial is currently lacking. 3 This challenge was further reinforced by a recent survey of Clinical Trials Units Directors where "research into methods to boost recruitment in trials" was found to be their highest research priority.…”

The willingness of patients presenting with advanced glaucoma to participate in a trial comparing primary medical vs primary surgical treatment

“…The difficulties of recruiting participants to clinical trials are well documented; [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] it is suggested that around 50% of clinical trials fail to reach their recruitment target, or require extension. 12 Patient-related factors have been identified to explain this, such as a lack of understanding about research or medical condition; concerns with the research process, especially randomisation; preference for particular treatments; and a perception that research is inappropriate for serious medical conditions.…”