Preventing and Lessening Exacerbations of Asthma in School-aged children Associated with a New Term (PLEASANT): Recruiting Primary Care Research Sites–the PLEASANT experience

Abstract

Background:Recruitment of general practices and their patients into research studies is frequently reported as a challenge. The Preventing and Lessening Exacerbations of Asthma in School-aged children Associated with a New Term (PLEASANT) trial recruited 142 general practices, across England and Wales and delivered the study intervention to time and target.Aims:To describe the process of recruitment used within the cluster randomised PLEASANT trial and present results on factors that influenced recruitment.Methods:Data were collected on the number of and types of contact used to gain expression of interest and subsequent randomisation into the PLEASANT trial. Practice size and previous research experience were also collected.Results:The mean number of contacts required to gain expression of interest were m=3.01 (s.d. 1.6) and total number of contacts from initial invitation to randomisation m=6.8 (s.d. 3.5). Previous randomised controlled trial involvement (hazard ratio (HR)=1.81 (confidence interval (CI) 95%, 1.55–2.11) P<0.001) and number of studies a practice had previously engaged in (odds ratio (OR) 1.91 (CI 95%, (1.52–2.42)) P<0.001), significantly influenced whether a practice would participate in PLEASANT. Practice size was not a significant deciding factor (OR=1.04 (95% CI 0.99–1.08) P=0.137).Conclusions:Recruitment to time and target can be achieved in general practice. The amount of resource required for site recruitment should not, however, be underestimated and multiple strategies for contacting practices should be considered. General practitioners with more research experience are more likely to participate in studies.

Supplementing electronic health records through sample collection and patient diaries: A study set within a primary care research database

“…The STAGE study also report practice recruitment as a limit on patient recruitment, although at 53%, the rate of practice recruitment was higher than in our study . PLEASANT, a later study conducted by CPRD which only required practices to mail a letter to patients, did recruit their target of 140 practices over a 7‐month period . This total included 129 of the 433 practices invited by CPRD (30%).…”

“…This total included 129 of the 433 practices invited by CPRD (30%). Reaching the target number of practices required significant staff resource to follow up the practices . General practices are currently experiencing high and increasing time and financial pressures .…”

Economic Evaluations Alongside Efficient Study Designs Using Large Observational Datasets: the PLEASANT Trial Case Study

“…The study setting was primary care with practice level clustering; the recruitment processes have been published [15]. CPRD identified eligible participants based on pre-agreed asthma diagnostic codes and predefined inclusion criteria.…”

The PULSAR primary care protocol: a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial to test a training intervention for general practitioners in recovery-oriented practice to optimize personal recovery in adult patients

“…The planning team included primary care academics familiar with the known barriers associated with recruitment of GPs into research projects [40–42]. …”

“…Strategies to assist participating GPs are informed by the known impediments to recruitment in general practice [40–42]. The primary mode of patient recruitment is through survey packs that are sent in mail outs or handed out by each practice site.…”