Lessons Learned in Recruitment, Training, and Retention in a Pre-Loss Grief Support Intervention

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Participant recruitment for dementia caregiver research presents significant challenges.
• Effective recruitment strategies are crucial for the success of clinical intervention trials involving family caregivers of individuals with dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the strategies, barriers, and successes encountered during the recruitment phase of a clinical intervention trial for family caregivers of persons living with dementia.
• To identify key factors influencing recruitment and retention in this specific research context.

Main Methods:

• The study employed a recruitment approach involving social workers as primary recruiters.
• Strategies focused on building strong relationships between the research team and participants.
• Frequent participant contact and flexibility in managing challenges were integral to the methodology.

Main Results:

• Recruitment faced numerous challenges, including institutional, community, and individual barriers.
• The approach of utilizing social workers, maintaining frequent contact, and demonstrating flexibility yielded modest success in both recruitment and retention.
• Strong interpersonal relationships between researchers and participants were identified as a key facilitator.

Conclusions:

• Overcoming recruitment challenges in dementia caregiver research requires multifaceted strategies.
• The integration of social workers and a relationship-centered approach can enhance participant recruitment and retention.
• Flexibility and consistent communication are vital for navigating the complexities of caregiver research.