Ten commandments of faith-based recruitment

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Research
• Community Health

Background:

• Recruiting older adults, especially racial and ethnic minorities, for clinical research presents significant challenges.
• Underrepresentation of diverse populations in research can limit the generalizability of findings.
• Faith-based institutions offer a potential avenue to engage underrepresented communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize faith-based recruitment strategies for older adults.
• To provide actionable recommendations for improving research participation among older Black and White women.
• To highlight the importance of community partnerships in clinical research recruitment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of faith-based recruitment methods.
• Author's practical experience in faith-based research recruitment.
• Development of 10 key recommendations based on synthesis.

Main Results:

• Faith-based recruitment requires active collaboration with religious leaders and community insiders.
• Culturally sensitive and age-appropriate materials and study environments are crucial.
• Strategies include leveraging facilities, offering incentives, increasing face-time, and creating social/beneficial events.

Conclusions:

• Faith-based approaches are essential for engaging underrepresented older adults in clinical research.
• Tailoring recruitment strategies to the specific cultural and spiritual contexts of faith communities is vital.
• Partnerships with faith institutions can significantly enhance research diversity and inclusivity.