Going the distance: overcoming challenges in recruitment and retention of Black and White women in multisite, longitudinal study of predictors of coronary heart disease

High recruitment and retention rates are hallmarks of scientifically rigorous longitudinal research. However, recruitment and retention are challenging, especially with older adults and minorities. In this article, we discuss strategies that have enabled us to retain more than 80% of both Black and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Research in gerontological nursing 2009-10, Vol.2 (4), p.256-264
Main Authors:	McSweeney, Jean C, Pettey, Christina M, Fischer, Ellen P, Spellman, Alisa
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	African Americans - ethnology Coronary Disease - ethnology European Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology Female Geriatric Nursing Humans Longitudinal Studies Motivation Multicenter Studies as Topic - methods Nursing Nursing Research - organization & administration Patient Acceptance of Health Care Patient Dropouts - psychology Patient Dropouts - statistics & numerical data Patient Selection Reminder Systems Research Design Research Subjects - psychology Research Subjects - supply & distribution Women - psychology
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Summary:	High recruitment and retention rates are hallmarks of scientifically rigorous longitudinal research. However, recruitment and retention are challenging, especially with older adults and minorities. In this article, we discuss strategies that have enabled us to retain more than 80% of both Black and White women in a 5-year observational study. To overcome challenges such as staff turnover and introduction of computerized record systems, we developed a time-saving handout, streamlined procedures for documenting contact information, and motivated site staff through weekly personal contact. We responded to problems with mailed privacy consent forms by garnering approval for verbal consent that allowed immediate response to participants' questions. In addition to standard steps to minimize attrition, we encouraged ongoing participation with personal letters following interviews, "refrigerator reminders" of the next interview date, and "missing you" letters following missed appointments. We believe these and other strategies described in this article were responsible for our high retention rate.
ISSN:	1940-4921 1938-2464