Optimised clinical study recruitment in palliative care: success strategies and lessons learned

White, Clare; Noble, Simon; Watson, Max; Swan, Flavia; Nelson, Annmarie; Johnson, Miriam J.

Abstract

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Recruitment challenges to clinical research studies in palliative care settings, particularly in hospices, are well documented. However, a recent study (Hospice Inpatient Deep vein thrombosis Detection (HIDDen) study) performed across five hospices in the UK recruited above target and on time. We describe strategies that aided successful recruitment in this study, and the lessons learnt for improving future studies. A recent review suggested that the ' Social Marketing Mix Framework' (SMMF) could help researchers with recruitment strategies in palliative care. We describe the recruiting strategies employed through the Social Marketing Mix lens and consider if it would be a useful framework for future researchers to use at the planning stage. Successful recruitment strategies employed in HIDDen study included: (i) addressing particular study-related factors, (ii) ensuring all patients were screened and offered participation if eligible, (iii) reducing impact on the clinical team through dedicated research nurses at sites, (iv) addressing research team issues with cross-cover between sites, where geographically possible, and (v) regular video conferencing meetings for support and collaborative solving of challenges. Limited pre-existing research infrastructure at most of the recruiting hospices created particular challenges. The SMMF provides a potential structure to help researchers to plan recruitment. However, to fully streamline trial set up and in order for hospice involvement in research to be realised systematically, a centralised approach to governance, organisational culture change whereby hospices embrace research as a legitimate purpose and consistent access to research staff are identified as key strategic elements promoting recruitment to studies in hospices.

Citation

White, C., Noble, S., Watson, M., Swan, F., Nelson, A., & Johnson, M. J. (2020). Optimised clinical study recruitment in palliative care: success strategies and lessons learned. BMJ supportive & palliative care, 10(2), 216-220. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001820

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 28, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jul 13, 2019
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 25, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 26, 2019
• Journal: BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
• Print ISSN: 2045-435X
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 216-220
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001820
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/2239121
• Publisher URL: https://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2019/07/13/bmjspcare-2019-001820
• Additional Information: This article has been accepted for publication in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2019 following peer review, and the Version of Record can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001820; © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
• Contract Date: Jul 26, 2019