Recruitment and retention into longitudinal health research from an adolescent perspective: a qualitative study

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Research

Eleanor M. Winpenny¹  Kirsten Corder¹  Esther M. F. van Sluijs¹  Rebecca Stevenson¹  Stephanie T. Jong² 

[1] UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) at the MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Box 285, Cambridge, United Kingdom;UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) at the MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Box 285, Cambridge, United Kingdom;School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom;

关键词: Adolescent;    Early adulthood;    Recruitment;    Retention;    Study participation;    Longitudinal;    Transition;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12874-022-01802-7

 received in 2022-04-11, accepted in 2022-11-23,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHigh quality longitudinal studies investigating changes in health behaviours over the transition into early adulthood are critical. However, recruiting and retaining adolescents is challenging. This study explored adolescents’ perspectives of signing up to and continuing involvement in a hypothetical longitudinal health research study.MethodsForty-eight individuals (15-20y) participated in nine in-person focus groups about recruitment and retention in research. Participants were (a) school students in the last year of compulsory school (Year 11, 15-16y), (b) school/college students in Sixth Form (Year 13, 17-18y), (c) Further Education students studying after secondary education, but not higher education (16-18y) and (d) young adults not in education, employment, or training (18-20y) across England. Thematic analysis resulted in seven themes.ResultsDriving factors for sign-up included social connection e.g., joining with peer groups, personalised feedback, and incentives, primarily financial. Key barriers were lack of interest, the perception of commitment, and timing of recruitment. Young people preferred recruitment processes via social media with messages tailored to their motivations, monthly data collection of maximally 20–30 min, and hybrid data collection with some in-person contact with a consistent, non-judgemental researcher. The provision of autonomy, choice, and financial incentives were perceived to promote retention.ConclusionsAdolescent recruitment and retention strategies need to align with contemporary interests and motivations. Studies should involve adolescents early to develop a planned, systematic approach to participant sign-up and follow-up. Effective and ineffective recruitment and retention strategies should be reported as part of study findings. Future research should trial how perceived barriers to study engagement can be overcome.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

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