Effective strategies for recruiting families ascertained through alcoholic probands.
BACKGROUND
Recruiting a large number of participants meeting strict inclusion criteria can be challenging, particularly when selecting for a condition associated with a social stigma such as alcoholism, when participation involves collection of medical specimens and sensitive information, and when the participation of family members or other collaterals is required. Developing and implementing a successful recruitment plan depends upon identifying the most effective recruitment strategies given the available resources.


METHODS
Several strategies for recruiting subjects for a large family study on the genetics of alcoholism were evaluated over a two-year period with regard to participant yield, time and cost expenditure.


RESULTS
Overall effectiveness of a recruitment strategy was determined based on a composite of yield, cost and time expenditure. The most effective recruitment strategies were direct mail, press release, the Internet and treatment center collaborations.


CONCLUSIONS
Results provide insight into successful strategies for recruiting large numbers of participants and their family members selected for a condition associated with a social stigma.
Seaton
Kimberly L
KL
Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Cornell
Jodi L
JL
Wilhelmsen
Kirk C
KC
Vieten
Cassandra
C
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D010375:Pedigree; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*