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Effective Strategies for Recruiting Families Ascertained Through Alcoholic Probands
Author(s) -
Seaton Kimberly L.,
Cornell Jodi L.,
Wilhelmsen Kirk C.,
Vieten Cassandra
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1097/01.alc.0000107200.88229.57
Subject(s) - psychology , stigma (botany) , proband , the internet , psychiatry , computer science , biology , world wide web , mutation , biochemistry , gene
A bstract : Background: Recruiting a large number of participants meeting strict inclusion criteria can be challenging, particularly when selecting for a condition associated with a social stigma such as alcoholism, when participation involves collection of medical specimens and sensitive information, and when the participation of family members or other collaterals is required. Developing and implementing a successful recruitment plan depends upon identifying the most effective recruitment strategies given the available resources. Methods: Several strategies for recruiting subjects for a large family study on the genetics of alcoholism were evaluated over a two‐year period with regard to participant yield, time and cost expenditure. Results: Overall effectiveness of a recruitment strategy was determined based on a composite of yield, cost and time expenditure. The most effective recruitment strategies were direct mail, press release, the Internet and treatment center collaborations. Conclusion:: Results provide insight into successful strategies for recruiting large numbers of participants and their family members selected for a condition associated with a social stigma.