Public Health.

Area of Science:

• Genomics research
• Alzheimer's disease (AD) research
• Population genetics

Background:

• The DAWN study aims to create a substantial genomics resource for Alzheimer's disease (AD) research.
• It focuses on recruiting individuals of African (Af) and Hispanic/Latino (H/L) ancestry from the US and Africa.
• Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) are essential for achieving study goals and ensuring participant satisfaction and trust.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of CRCs in the DAWN study.
• To identify challenges and successful strategies for participant recruitment and retention in diverse populations.
• To emphasize the importance of investing in CRC development for research success.

Main Methods:

• A team science approach was used for recruiting African American (AA) and Hispanic/Latino (H/L) participants across multiple US sites.
• Outreach and Recruitment (OR) core teams and site managers led clinical training.
• Regular virtual and in-person meetings facilitated bidirectional learning, professional development, and strategy sharing among CRCs.

Main Results:

• Nineteen CRCs of AA and HI descent, representative of the study population, were involved.
• DAWN CRCs successfully met enrollment goals for AA and HI participants within the first two years.
• CRCs identified 26 impediments and 14 retention strategies, with community trust, CRC safety, and resources being key.

Conclusions:

• Multi-site initiatives require ongoing identification of roles, impediments, and strategies for participant recruitment and retention.
• Valuing and investing in the professional development of CRCs are crucial for recruitment success and employee retention in genomics research.
• Listening to CRCs' experiences is vital for improving recruitment and retention efforts in diverse populations.