Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (Nov 2023)
Including Socially Isolated Black, Older Old Adults (Aged 80 and Above) with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Clinical Trial: Recruitment Strategies and Perspectives
Abstract
Laura M Struble,1 Kathleen Potempa,2 Peter A Lichtenberg,3 Raina L Croff,4,5 Alexis Ellis,1 Hiroko H Dodge6 1Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; 2Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; 3Institute of Gerontology and Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA; 4Oregon Center for Aging and Technology (ORCATECH), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; 5Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; 6Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USACorrespondence: Laura M Struble, Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, 400 North Ingalls Building, Room 2150 400NIB, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5482, USA, Tel +1 734 615 5750, Fax + 734 936 5525, Email [email protected]: This study describes strategies for the recruitment of socially isolated older old Black individuals to participate in the “Internet-based conversational engagement clinical trial (I-CONECT)” (Clinical Trial.gov: NCT02871921) and lessons learned in this critical population segment.Methods: Best practice strategies to recruit the target population included mass mailings, advertisements, and direct community outreach, including the collaboration with a community group created to reach Black individuals interested in research participation. We also made protocol changes to measure recruitment criteria for older old Black adults more accurately and to increase their participation.Results: Descriptive data related to the challenges and successes in recruiting Black participants compared to the White participants is presented. The primary site contacted 17,523 primarily White potential participants and enrolled/randomized 145 White and 2 Asian/mixed race participants (0.8%). The Midwest site contacted 12,141 Black potential participants and enrolled/randomized 39 (0.3%) participants.Discussion: While best practices were employed, several factors complicated recruitment, including the need to adjust recruitment criteria, navigate regional regulations, and respect diverse community preferences.Conclusion: Older old African Americans are reachable and willing to participate in research when considering their beliefs and practices, influenced by their community and experience.Keywords: engagement, minority, outreach, age, enrollment, strategies, community
