Recruitment of family caregivers of persons with dementia: Lessons learned from a pilot randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1125914
• Publication Date: 2023-03-27T05:52:50Z
• Authors: Sama Joshi; Taeyoung Park; Lilla Brody; Kiana Cruz; Priya Mukhi; M. Carrington Reid; Keela Herr; Karl Pillemer; Catherine Riffin
• Keywords: Family Caregivers

Family caregivers play an essential role in supporting the health and well-being of older adults with dementia, a population projected to increase rapidly over coming decades. Enrolling people dementia (PWD) research studies is vital generating evidence necessary support broader implementation efficacious intervention programs real-world care delivery, but range challenges impede recruitment enrollment sufficiently large representative sample sizes. In this article, we characterize lessons learned from recruiting PWD participate pilot randomized control trial. We utilize Bronfenbrenner's ecological model categorize into three levels: individual (i.e., understanding caregivers’ time constraints motivations), community reaching underrepresented populations accessing caregiver groups) institutional obtaining informed consent navigating registries). found that establishing rapport maintaining flexibility participants was crucial for motivating individuals enroll our study. Building trust local communities by collaborating group leaders, appointing co-investigator who already embedded within given community, equitable partnerships organizations increased rates. At level, engaging experts regulatory affairs geriatrics may help overcome barriers approval review boards. also recommend using registries offer their contact information researchers. The research—including potential solutions them—may promote more effective efficient future research.