Recruitment of racial/ethnic minority older adults through community sites for focus group discussions

Abstract

BackgroundDespite a body of evidence on racial/ethnic minority enrollment and retention in research, literature specifically focused on recruiting racially/ethnically diverse older adults for social science studies is limited. There is a need for more rigorous research on methodological issues and the efficacy of recruitment methods. Cultural obstacles to recruitment of racial/ethnic minority older adults include language barriers, lack of cultural sensitivity of target communities on the part of researchers, and culturally inappropriate assessment tools.MethodsGuided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this study critically appraised the recruitment of racial/ethnic minority older adults for focus groups. The initial approach involved using the physical and social infrastructure of the ElderSmile network, a community-based initiative to promote oral and general health and conduct health screenings in places where older adults gather, to recruit racial/ethnic minority adults for a social science component of an interdisciplinary initiative. The process involved planning a recruitment strategy, engaging the individuals involved in its implementation (opinion leaders in senior centers, program staff as implementation leaders, senior community-based colleagues as champions, and motivated center directors as change agents), executing the recruitment plan, and reflecting on the process of implementation.ResultsWhile the recruitment phase of the study was delayed by 6 months to allow for ongoing recruitment and filling of focus group slots, the flexibility of the recruitment plan, the expertise of the research team members, the perseverance of the recruitment staff, and the cultivation of change agents ultimately resulted in meeting the study targets for enrollment in terms of both numbers of focus group discussions (n = 24) and numbers of participants (n = 194).ConclusionsThis study adds to the literature in two important ways. First, we leveraged the social and physical infrastructure of an existing program to recruit participants through community sites where older adults gather. Second, we used the CFIR to guide the appraisal of the recruitment process, which underscored important considerations for both reaching and engaging this underserved population. This was especially true in terms of understanding the disparate roles of the individuals involved in implementing and facilitating the recruitment plan.

“Seniors only want respect”: designing an oral health program for older adults

“…These three neighborhoods have historically been considered as racial/ethnic enclaves, and are communities with many recent immigrants and residents who qualify for Medicaid and other forms of public assistance. Further details of the recruitment and screening procedures are available elsewhere …”

“…A total of 625 potential participants were screened for eligibility, of whom 564 were determined to be eligible to participate in a focus group. The 61 potential participants who were deemed to be ineligible for the study were excluded for the following reasons: ineligible ethnicity (n = 36); refused to sign the consent form or incomplete consent form (n = 10); ill, blind, or incapacitated (n = 7); refused to answer the race/ethnicity question (n = 4); and younger than 50 years of age (n = 4) . After accounting for those who were unable to be scheduled, not interested in participating, or whose gender/ethnic/dental care segment had been filled, a total of 277 older adults were scheduled to participate in a focus group.…”

“…All told, 194 older adults (70.0%) actually attended a session, signed a written informed consent, and participated in a focus group. Details of the screening results, including the reasons for ineligibility and non‐participation, are available elsewhere …”

“…; refused to answer the race/ethnicity question (n = 4); and younger than 50 years of age (n = 4). 15 After accounting for those who were unable to be scheduled, not interested in participating, or whose gender/ethnic/ dental care segment had been filled, a total of 277 older adults were scheduled to participate in a focus group. All told, 194 older adults (70.0%) actually attended a session, signed a written informed consent, and participated in a focus group.…”

Knowledge and behaviours related to oral health among underserved older adults

“…The idea of examining the mouth and body knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of racial/ethnic minority older adults emerged from the experience of the first author (MGS) in conducting focus groups from 2013 to 2015 in northern Manhattan, New York, NY. Details of the recruitment and data collection methods utilised in this qualitative study have been included in a series of papers that emanated from the accrued data . Materials and methods that are central and specific to the current study are detailed below.…”