The recruitment and participation of Hispanic women in nursing research: a learning process

Limited information is available regarding the selection of culturally appropriate methods for obtaining data from the Hispanic population, which is currently the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States. Due to this lack of knowledge which would guide the investigator in the recruitment and retention of Hispanics in research studies, the Hispanic population remains understudied and underserved. This article describes the numerous challenges that were encountered in the actual process of recruiting Hispanic women into a research study which examined adjustment among breast cancer survivors. The rate of refusal to participate was unexpectedly high, which necessitated additional recruitment strategies, including a renewed emphasis on the importance of the study and the option of meeting with other members of the community in a group. Women who refused to participate in the study stated concerns related to a loss of health benefits, the influence of family members, and a recurrence of emotional stress. Instrument issues are also addressed. This learning process of developing, refining, and testing effective methods for recruiting Hispanic women in research studies remains an ongoing endeavor; through these efforts it is hoped that culturally competent health care can become a reality.