Reasons for high retention in pediatric clinical trials: comparison of participant and staff responses in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial

• DOI: 10.1191/1740774505cn113oa
• Publication Date: 2005-10-19T21:02:11Z
• Authors: Lynette Dias; Elinor Schoenfeld; Jennifer Thomas; Catherine Baldwin; Jennifer Mcleod; Justin Smith; Robert Owens; Leslie Hyman
• Keywords: Male; Clinical Trials as Topic; Patient Dropouts; Professional-Patient Relations; 16. Peace & justice; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Professional-Family Relations; Myopia; Humans; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Family; Female; Child; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Background The Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET), a randomized, multicenter clinical trial myopia progression in children, had an exceptionally high retention rate 98.5% (462/469) at three years follow-up. present investigation was designed to evaluate and compare the reasons for COMET's according participating families center staff. Methods Families ( n = 411) staff 35) completed confidential 19-item questionnaire by indicating families' levels preference each item, rating its importance keeping study. evaluated study features four categories: characteristics, operational aspects, specific elements, incentives. Results showed that most viewed very favorably. Features appealed 90% or more promoted continued participation included attributes such as friendliness, responsiveness encouragement, aspects pertaining standard care completeness eye exam, quality free eyeglasses. Compared families, tended underestimate following retention: seeing same visit, appointment reminders, location, newsletters, commitment study, being part nationwide length association with college optometry, drops p < 0.05 chi-square analyses). However, responses also revealed less preferred components protocol (e.g., drops), which might have been reluctant respond unfavorably. Conclusions Our findings highlight intangible factors participants' maintaining rates, usefulness surveying both