Tailored approach to participant recruitment and retention to maximize health equity in pediatric cancer research

Abstract

Abstract Background Lack of diversity in participants throughout the research process limits the generalizability of findings and may contribute to health disparities. There are unique challenges to recruitment of families to pediatric cancer research studies, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the most effective recruitment and retention strategies to optimize equitable recruitment of diverse participants. Methods The present study adapted and implemented methods outlined previously in the literature. These previous efforts were developed to address barriers to pediatric research, behavioral health intervention research and research with Black adolescents. Recruitment and retention strategies are described across four different time points: pre-approach, initial connection, building connection and follow-up. Eligible families of children with a pediatric cancer diagnosis were approached during a routine oncology visit. Once consented, enrollment and retention rates over three timepoints of data collection were recorded and evaluated. Results Results indicated high rates of enrollment (86%) and retention (95%) for eligible participants. There were no trends in heightened attrition for any specific subgroup. Conclusions The findings of this study are promising and suggest these recruitment and retention strategies may be useful in recruiting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.