Engaging Participants in a Complex Intervention Trial in Australian General Practice
Author Information
Author(s): David Perkins, Mark F. Harris, Jocelyn Tan, Bettina Christl, Jane Taggart, Mahnaz Fanaian
Primary Institution: Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales
Hypothesis
What are the key issues experienced in recruiting and retaining practice involvement in a large complex intervention trial in Australian General Practice?
Conclusion
Clearer communication of the benefits of research to practices and streamlined processes are needed to improve engagement.
Supporting Evidence
- The study highlighted the importance of clear communication between researchers and practices.
- Delays in recruitment and data collection led to frustration and withdrawals from the trial.
- Practices that remained in the trial saw opportunities for improving chronic disease management.
Takeaway
The study looked at how to get doctors' offices to join a health research project and found that making things easier and showing them the benefits is really important.
Methodology
The study used reflective notes and telephone interviews with staff from general practices that expressed interest, participated, or withdrew from the trial.
Potential Biases
The requirement for arms-length recruitment may have hindered direct communication and relationship building with practices.
Limitations
The study faced challenges in recruitment and retention due to the demands of general practice and the complexity of the trial.
Participant Demographics
Practices involved included a mix of those that expressed interest, participated, and withdrew, with varying sizes and capacities.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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