Guidelines for Evaluating the Feasibility of Recruitment in Pilot Studies of Diverse Populations: An Overlooked but Important Component

Abstract

Background: In health disparities research, studies often fall short of their recruitment goals. Conducting a pilot feasibility study of recruitment in which data are collected systematically on recruitment processes can help investigators refine methods for the larger study. However, there are few guide­lines for conducting pilot feasibility studies, and recruitment methods are seldom the focus. Feasibility indicators differ from traditional reports of recruitment results by focusing on the extent to which recruitment goals are met.Methods: We present an organizing frame­work for assessing the feasibility of recruit­ment that includes eight steps, briefly: 1) specify recruitment goals; 2) specify recruit­ment processes; 3) establish a tracking sys­tem for each individual; 4) establish a track­ing database for monitoring processes and results; 5) implement recruitment and track each individual’s progress; 6) summarize re­cruitment results; 7) calculate and interpret feasibility measures - were goals met; and 8) if goals were not met, utilize tracking data to modify methods for the larger study. We describe methods within each step, with added details for steps 2-5 (the specific pro­cesses). The framework draws from a small literature on recruitment feasibility with a focus on health disparities populations. The guidelines blend well-known methods of recruitment with additional information on calculating feasibility indicators.Conclusion: These guidelines provide a first step in thinking systematically about recruitment feasibility, to advance the field of measuring feasibility. Feasibility indicators also can be used to track the effectiveness of innovative recruitment strategies as part of building the science of recruitment, es­pecially in disparities populations. Ethn Dis. 2020; 30(Suppl 2):745-754; doi:10.18865/ed.30.S2.745