A "Patient Preference" Model of Recruitment for Research from Primary-Care-Based Memory Clinics: A Promising New...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Research
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Clinical trial recruitment for dementia poses significant challenges.
• Existing recruitment strategies require enhancement to meet patient and care partner needs.
• Memory clinics are vital hubs for supporting dementia research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a standardized, patient-centered research recruitment process for dementia clinical trials.
• To address barriers in recruiting individuals with dementia by incorporating stakeholder input.
• To co-design a novel program to facilitate dementia research participation.

Main Methods:

• Convened a key stakeholder working group, including patients, care partners, researchers, and clinicians.
• Facilitated a half-day meeting to discuss patient/care partner needs, researcher policies, and clinic considerations.
• Utilized a co-design approach to develop a new recruitment program.

Main Results:

• Patients and care partners expressed a strong desire to contribute to scientific advancement.
• Valuable insights were gained from patients and care partners on optimizing recruitment strategies.
• The need for a patient-driven approach to dementia research recruitment was identified.

Conclusions:

• The co-designed "Memory Clinic Research Match" program offers a patient-centered solution to recruitment barriers.
• This initiative has the potential to significantly increase participation in dementia-related clinical trials.
• Collaborative, stakeholder-informed program development is crucial for advancing dementia research.