Central Recruitment: A process for engaging and recruiting individuals with spinal cord injury/disease in research at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. (30th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Craven, B. Catharine; Brisbois, Louise; Pelletier, Chelsea; Rybkina, Julia; Heesters, Ann; Verrier, Mary Caroline
• Is Part Of: Journal of spinal cord medicine. Volume 44(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S240
• Page End: S249
• Publication Date: 2021-09-30
• Subjects: Spinal cord injuries -- Patient recruitment -- Ethics -- Rehabilitation research -- Organizational efficiency; Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Spinal cord -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8305
• DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2021.1970898
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-0268

Abstract

Abstract : Context: Insufficient recruitment is a barrier to research and limits statistical power. We describe an initiative aimed to streamline recruitment and consent processes for inpatients with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) via implementation of a Central Recruitment (CR) process. The CR process adhered to ethical standards, reduced participant burden, and maximized research participation. Methods: In this CR process, the inpatient's nurse affirmed suitability for research approach based on fluency, cognition and health stability. A patient research liaison (PRL) was the sole contact for information regarding the research process, and introduced ongoing studies, screened for eligibility, and completed the consent process(es). Results: Over five and a half years, 1, 561 inpatients with SCI/D were screened for eligibility upon admission, of whom 80% (1256/1561) were deemed suitable for the PRL approach. Of those suitable for the CR process, 80% (1001/1256) agreed to discuss current research opportunities, 46% (235/516) consented to participate in one or more studies, and 86% (856/1001) agreed to future research contact. Conclusion: This process adhered to ethical procedures and reduced the burden of having multiple researchers approach each individual inpatient regarding research participation, with high consent rates for low-risk studies. Future evaluation of the process scalability is underway.