Strategies to engage clinical staff in subject recruitment

PURPOSE: In many countries, meeting subject recruitment goals is challenging for researchers relying on clinical staff members (CSMs) to identify or recruit subjects. This paper describes research strategies that improved staff engagement in three different studies conducted in US clinical settings. METHOD: The recruitment strategies described in this paper were identified during the process of consultation among three US researchers recruiting via CSMs. Strategies which successfully engaged CSMs are described. RESULTS: Our approach improved engagement with CSMs in three different US studies. Early engagement strategies included establishing trust, gathering input from CSMs, and using succinct training procedures as well as a study logo. Middle phase strategies included assigning recruitment, publishing a study newsletter, giving the CSMs compensation and appreciation for their participation, and expanding the subject pool. Completion strategies included closing with an appreciation meeting and adding merit letters to personnel files. CONCLUSION: Recruitment of an adequate number of subjects is often challenging, even within clinical settings where subject populations are abundant. CSMs have rightly prioritised clinical care over directing subjects to research studies. It is therefore critical that researchers recruiting in such clinical settings anticipate recruitment challenges and plan to implement appropriate engagement strategies in all phases of research.