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BMC Medical Research Methodology
Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Correspondence

Strategies for improving patient recruitment to focus groups in primary care: a case study reflective paper using an analytical framework

Authors: Jane V Dyas, Tanefa Apekey, Michelle Tilling, A Niroshan Siriwardena

Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

Recruiting to primary care studies is complex. With the current drive to increase numbers of patients involved in primary care studies, we need to know more about successful recruitment approaches. There is limited evidence on recruitment to focus group studies, particularly when no natural grouping exists and where participants do not regularly meet. The aim of this paper is to reflect on recruitment to a focus group study comparing the methods used with existing evidence using a resource for research recruitment, PROSPeR (Planning Recruitment Options: Strategies for Primary Care).

Methods

The focus group formed part of modelling a complex intervention in primary care in the Resources for Effective Sleep Treatment (REST) study. Despite a considered approach at the design stage, there were a number of difficulties with recruitment. The recruitment strategy and subsequent revisions are detailed.

Results

The researchers' modifications to recruitment, justifications and evidence from the literature in support of them are presented. Contrary evidence is used to analyse why some aspects were unsuccessful and evidence is used to suggest improvements. Recruitment to focus group studies should be considered in two distinct phases; getting potential participants to contact the researcher, and converting those contacts into attendance. The difficulty of recruitment in primary care is underemphasised in the literature especially where people do not regularly come together, typified by this case study of patients with sleep problems.

Conclusion

We recommend training GPs and nurses to recruit patients during consultations. Multiple recruitment methods should be employed from the outset and the need to build topic related non-financial incentives into the group meeting should be considered. Recruitment should be monitored regularly with barriers addressed iteratively as a study progresses.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Strategies for improving patient recruitment to focus groups in primary care: a case study reflective paper using an analytical framework
Authors
Jane V Dyas
Tanefa Apekey
Michelle Tilling
A Niroshan Siriwardena
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Research Methodology / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2288
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-9-65

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