Citation

Barrett NJ, Ingraham KL, Vann Hawkins T, Moorman PG. Ethn. Dis. 2017; 27(4): 453-462.

Affiliation

Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, International Society on Hypertension in Blacks)

DOI

10.18865/ed.27.4.453

PMID

29225447

PMCID

PMC5720956

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine barriers recruiters encounter when enrolling African American study participants, identify motivating factors to increase research participation, and provide recommendations to facilitate successful minority recruitment.

BACKGROUND: Recruiters are often the first point of contact between the research study and potential African American participants. While challenges in enrolling African Americans into clinical and epidemiologic research has been reported in numerous studies the non-physician recruiter's role as a determinant of overall participation rates has received minimal attention.

METHODS: We conducted four 90-minute teleconference focus groups with 18 recruiters experienced in enrolling African Americans for clinical and epidemiologic studies at five academic/medical institutions. Participants represented diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and were asked to reflect on barriers preventing African Americans from participating in research studies, factors that motivated participation, and recommendations to increase participation of African Americans in research. Multi-coder and thematic data analysis was implemented using the Braun and Clarke method.

RESULTS: Prominent concerns in recruitment of African Americans in research include fear and mistrust and inflexible research protocols. The participants suggest that improved recruitment could be achieved through cross-cultural and skillset building training opportunities for recruiters, greater community engagement among researchers, and better engagement with clinic staff and research teams.

Language: en

Keywords

Barriers; Clinic Education; Minorities; Motivating Factors; Observational Epidemiologic Studies; Participation Rates; Recruiters