Improving Recruitment in Clinical Trials
Author Information
Author(s): Judith M Watson, David J Torgerson
Primary Institution: York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York
Hypothesis
What strategies can effectively increase recruitment rates in randomized controlled trials?
Conclusion
There is an urgent need for more randomized controlled trials to evaluate recruitment strategies, as few have been conducted to date.
Supporting Evidence
- Telephone reminders significantly increased recruitment rates.
- Monetary incentives improved response rates among adolescents.
- Culturally sensitive materials were effective in recruitment.
Takeaway
This study looked at different ways to get more people to join clinical trials and found that some simple methods, like phone reminders and money incentives, can help.
Methodology
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on recruitment methods was conducted, analyzing 14 studies that described 20 different interventions.
Potential Biases
Some studies lacked adequate information on randomization procedures, which could introduce bias.
Limitations
The review identified few trials evaluating recruitment methods, indicating a lack of evidence in this area.
Participant Demographics
The review included various studies with diverse participant demographics, but specific details were not provided.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.00001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.36 to 1.72
Statistical Significance
p<0.00001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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