Abstract
Background: The impact of health promotion strategies in research or population health settings is dependent on successful recruitment of participants. There are clear benefits of health coaching for older people but less is known about efficient ways to recruit participants to such programs. We are undertaking the NHMRC-funded Coaching for Healthy Ageing (CHAnGE) trial which aims to recruit 600 older people who are active members of 60 established community-based groups in Orange and Sydney. Groups are randomised to receive trial health coaching, either: a) falls prevention and enhanced physical activity; or b) improving healthy eating.
Aim: To describe recruitment strategies that have been used thus far in the CHAnGE trial and their success rates.
Methods: Community-based groups (e.g. Probus, Rotary, Mens Shed, Womens Shed, Inner Wheel, Bridge Club, Ionian Club, Golf Club groups etc) from Orange, NSW were approached via email, phone or formal/informal presentations by the researchers between September 2015 and February 2016. Posters and flyers were also placed into the community and local media articles were published to generate interest in the trial.
Results: To date we have approached 35 groups that included 150 people who were potentially interested in trial participation and provided their name and phone number for further contact. After withdrawals and eligibility screening, 11 groups containing 114 eligible participants were recruited to the trial, representing a 76% recruitment success rate.
Discussion: A multifaceted approach for recruitment appears effective when approaching community-based groups within a regional centre. The inclusion of a presentation of our research at each group's venue, which often involved an informal chat beforehand, and then spending time talking individually with potential participants after the presentation, appears to be an integral part of the recruitment procedure. The success of these strategies in Sydney will be investigated in the next stage of this project.
Aim: To describe recruitment strategies that have been used thus far in the CHAnGE trial and their success rates.
Methods: Community-based groups (e.g. Probus, Rotary, Mens Shed, Womens Shed, Inner Wheel, Bridge Club, Ionian Club, Golf Club groups etc) from Orange, NSW were approached via email, phone or formal/informal presentations by the researchers between September 2015 and February 2016. Posters and flyers were also placed into the community and local media articles were published to generate interest in the trial.
Results: To date we have approached 35 groups that included 150 people who were potentially interested in trial participation and provided their name and phone number for further contact. After withdrawals and eligibility screening, 11 groups containing 114 eligible participants were recruited to the trial, representing a 76% recruitment success rate.
Discussion: A multifaceted approach for recruitment appears effective when approaching community-based groups within a regional centre. The inclusion of a presentation of our research at each group's venue, which often involved an informal chat beforehand, and then spending time talking individually with potential participants after the presentation, appears to be an integral part of the recruitment procedure. The success of these strategies in Sydney will be investigated in the next stage of this project.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 29-29 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
| Event | 49th Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Conference - National Convention Centre, Canberra, Australia Duration: 02 Nov 2016 → 04 Nov 2016 https://www.aag.asn.au/national-conference/2016-conference-program-abstracts-and-presentations (Conference resources) |
Conference
| Conference | 49th Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Capitalising on the Ageing Dividend: Re-imagining Our Future |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Canberra |
| Period | 02/11/16 → 04/11/16 |
| Internet address |