Recruitment of African American males in clinical trials research is and has been a challenge. African American males traditionally tend to underutilize the health care system. Therefore, development of successful recruitment strategies of African American males is key to the success of clinical trials.
This clinical trial in the metropolitan Atlanta area is one of two sites conducting a three year study of the genetic epidemiology of response to antihypertensives. This research study is sponsored by the National Institute of Health and is designed to answer questions about how five genes regulate blood pressure and how they can predict who will respond to blood pressure treatment with a diuretic. Of the 300 participants being recruited for the study, 150 are African American males.
This presentation will explore various recruitment strategies and introduce techniques to increase participation. Various strategies were developed for the successful recruitment of African American males: direct mail, advertisements, on hold phone announcements at university clinics, distribution of flyers to key community leaders and church leaders, distribution of flyers to pharmacies, barbershops, fire stations and messages on university employee paychecks. Response to flyers was closely monitored to determine which communication medium was most effective. The most effective recruitment methods were direct mail, advertisement, on hold phone message announcements, and employee paycheck messages. Carefully monitoring response to various strategies while utilizing the most effective recruitment method proved to be the pathway to increase participation of African American males in clinical trial.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe strategies for recruitment of African American males in clinical trials. 2) Develop strategies to increase participation of African American males in clinical trials
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Emory Hypertension Research Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.