Related Experiment Videos
Utilizing volunteer research assistants in epidemiologic studies
K McMahon1, M McEnhill, R Youngquist
1Buck Center for Research in Aging, Novato, CA 94945-1351, USA.
Journal of Aging & Social Policy
|December 9, 1995
Summary
Volunteers can effectively assist in epidemiological research for older adults, reducing costs. This study shows trained volunteers completed tasks comparable to paid staff, saving over $100,000.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- The aging population presents increasing healthcare demands and costs.
- Efficient research funding models are crucial for studying healthy aging.
- Epidemiologic studies of the elderly require significant personnel resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of using volunteers in research-assistant roles for epidemiologic studies.
- To determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of volunteer research assistants in aging research.
- To explore the potential of engaging older adults as volunteers in research.
Main Methods:
- Recruited and trained 82 volunteers for roles in a two-year cross-sectional study on healthy aging.
- Volunteers performed key research tasks including telephone screening, interviewing, coding, and data entry.
- Study conducted by the Buck Center for Research in Aging in Marin County, California.
Main Results:
- Trained volunteers successfully completed assigned tasks within comparable timeframes and standards.
- Volunteers contributed approximately 13,600 hours to the study.
- Personnel cost savings exceeded $100,000 due to volunteer contributions.
Conclusions:
- Volunteers, particularly healthy older adults and retired workers, can be effectively utilized in research settings.
- Volunteer research assistants offer a viable model for extending research funding in studies of the elderly.
- This approach leverages transferable skills of older adults, providing productive engagement and significant cost savings.