Use of strategies to improve retention in primary care randomised trials: a qualitative study with in-depth interviews.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To explore the strategies used to improve retention in primary care randomised trials.

Design

Qualitative in-depth interviews and thematic analysis.

Participants

29 UK primary care chief and principal investigators, trial managers and research nurses.

Methods

In-depth face-to-face interviews.

Results

Primary care researchers use incentive and communication strategies to improve retention in trials, but were unsure of their effect. Small monetary incentives were used to increase response to postal questionnaires. Non-monetary incentives were used although there was scepticism about the impact of these on retention. Nurses routinely used telephone communication to encourage participants to return for trial follow-up. Trial managers used first cla

SUBMITTER: Brueton VC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3902408 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature