CTN webinar: Retention strategies and tools.
This web seminar series had three components:
Introduction to Retention in the NDAT CTN. Presented by Dikla Blumberg, PhD (NDAT CTN Clinical Coordinating Center):
Recruitment and retention are vital aspects of clinical research trials and can factor into the success of a study. Therefore, it is important that researchers understand and identify barriers to meeting recruitment and retention targets and the consequences experienced with poor retention. Additionally, it is helpful to examine historical data available on study retention trends to inform implementation efforts on future studies. Accordingly, this presentation briefly addresses these areas by providing an overview on the topic of study retention, retention within the context of the CTN, and discusses the importance of incorporating strategies and tools for study success.
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The “CHEERS” Principle of Participant Retention: More Than Just Techniques. Presented by Frankie Kropp, MS (OV Node) and Mitra Lewis, MS (NDAT CTN CCC):
Good participant retention involves more than just specific techniques; retention depends on the study staff’s overall philosophy of managing and accommodating study participants. One helpful way to think about participant retention is to insert the “CHEERS” principle into study retention efforts– Customer service, Help overcome barriers, Environment, Excellence, Relationship/Respect, and Search. This 20-minute webinar will provide an overview of the CHEERS principle, including specific examples of what sites can do to maximize participant retention.
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Utilizing a Robust and Comprehensive Locator Form as a Retention Tool. Presented by Phoebe Gauthier, MA, MPH (NE Node) and Dagmar Salazar, MS (NDAT CTN CCC).
Participant recruitment and retention are critical aspects of conducting quality clinical research projects. The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (NDAT CTN), which evaluates behavioral, pharmacological, and integrated treatment interventions for substance use disorders, routinely enrolls participants who may be challenging to locate during the treatment and follow-up phase of a trial. This 20-minute presentation will review one tool for increasing retention—an adapted locator form. This locator form is designed to better facilitate locating participants, especially those with unstable living conditions or with limited contact information. Additionally, this presentation will discuss the form elements beyond conventional locator forms and methods for collecting the information to help increase participant retention.