Recruitment and retention of primary care patients into a research study investigating medication adherence

General practitioners (GPs) and patients are key sources of information for investigating primary health care. However, recruiting these into health care studies has been reported to be difficult.

This study aimed to determine the recruitment and retention rates of GP practices and patients into a research project in the primary health care setting.

All general practices in Dunedin, New Zealand, with three or more practitioners were invited to participate in a study investigating medication adherence. In practices that agreed to participate, 100 patients were recruited from waiting rooms and followed up by telephone over six months. The main outcome measures included recruitment rates of GPs and patients, the level of retention and loss to follow-up of patients over a six-month period, the drop out and reasons for this drop out.

Only two of the 15 practices agreed to participate. To recruit 100 patients, 203 people were approached. Reasons for not wanting to participate were recorded where possible. Of those that agreed to participate, 86% of doctor consultations resulted in a prescription and, of these prescriptions, 87% were reported to be collected as prescribed. At the end of six months, 68 patients still remained in the study.

Patients were interested in being involved in this type of study and were recruited at a rate of 82% and 56% depending on the practice. After the initial drop out, most patients remained in the study until the conclusion. Recruitment of general practices remains challenging.