Rethinking traditional recruitment methods for black men through relationship-based recruitment

Area of Science:

• Health disparities research
• Clinical trial recruitment strategies
• Community-based participatory research

Background:

• Traditional recruitment methods show low engagement, especially among Black men, hindering clinical research.
• Systemic biases contribute to fragmented healthcare experiences for Black men.
• Existing recruitment strategies often lack context and yield poor response rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To share a successful relationship-based recruitment approach for engaging Black men in clinical research.
• To highlight effective strategies for improving participation in health studies among Black communities.
• To address barriers faced by Black men in accessing and participating in research.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a relationship-based recruitment strategy.
• Engaged potential participants through community settings like workplaces and online platforms.
• Focused on building trust and rapport within the target population.

Main Results:

• Successfully enrolled 60 Black men with low back pain within 60 days.
• Demonstrated the efficacy of relationship-based recruitment in a specific population.
• Achieved high engagement rates through community-centered outreach.

Conclusions:

• Relationship-based recruitment is effective for engaging Black men in clinical research.
• Inclusive and diverse recruitment strategies are essential for equitable health research.
• Advocating for broader adoption of these methods can improve participation in Black communities.