UK research staff perspectives on improving recruitment and retention to primary care research; nominal group exercise

• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmn085
• Publication Date: 2008-11-15T02:38:16Z
• Authors: J. Graffy; J. Grant; S. Boase; E. Ward; P. Wallace; J. Miller; A. L. Kinmonth
• Keywords: Nominal Group Technique; Prioritization

Primary care studies often encounter recruitment difficulties, but there is little evidence to inform solutions. As part of a National Institute for Health Research School Care and UK Clinical Network programme, we elicited research staff perspectives on factors facilitating or obstructing recruitment.To identify that experienced consider important in successful retention their confidence achieving them.An iterative series three workshops was held. The third used modified nominal group technique categorize whether related the 'context' which took place, 'content' study 'process' prioritize them by importance success.Eighteen participated prioritization workshop. They prioritized positive attitudes primary towards trust researchers potential participants as major contextual affecting recruitment. Studies needed be considered safe relevant fit with practice systems. proposed strengthen relationships minimize workload teams. Although confident many processes, respondents remained uncertain how achieve cultural change so became normal activity best motivate patients participate.Research workers taking identified might recruitment, several they expressed addressing. Understanding improve crucial if current efforts are bear fruit.