Comparing community and specialty provider‐based recruitment in a randomized clinical trial: Clinical trial in fecal incontinence
Author(s) -
Whitebird Robin R.,
Bliss Donna Zimmaro.,
Savik Kay,
Lowry Ann,
Jung HansJoachim G.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/nur.20408
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , specialty , medicine , clinical trial , fecal incontinence , ethnic group , family medicine , community based participatory research , protocol (science) , patient recruitment , gerontology , physical therapy , alternative medicine , surgery , participatory action research , sociology , pathology , anthropology
Abstract Recruitment of participants to clinical trials remains a significant challenge, especially for research addressing topics of a sensitive nature such as fecal incontinence (FI). In the Fiber Study, a randomized controlled trial on symptom management for FI, we successfully enrolled 189 community‐living adults through collaborations with specialty‐based and community‐based settings, each employing methods tailored to the organizational characteristics of their site. Results show that using the two settings increased racial and ethnic diversity of the sample and inclusion of informal caregivers. There were no differential effects on enrollment, final eligibility, or completion of protocol by site. Strategic collaborations with complementary sites can achieve sample recruitment goals for clinical trials on topics that are sensitive or known to be underreported. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:500–511, 2010