Active recruitment increased enrollment in a hereditary cancer registry.
OBJECTIVE
The Mid-Atlantic Cancer Genetics Network (MACGN) targets individuals from cancer risk assessment clinics for recruitment into a national hereditary cancer registry. We sought to determine whether different recruitment methods used in a high-risk breast and ovarian cancer clinic yielded differences into enrollment into MACGN.


METHODS
Two methods of recruitment were compared over an 8-month period. A passive recruitment technique, used during the first 4 months of recruitment, involved distribution of a brochure. An active recruitment method, used during the second 4-month period, required a MACGN recruiter to approach patients and initiate a brief discussion of the registry.


RESULTS
During the first 4-month period, 158 eight patients were seen in the clinic and 142 were seen in the second 4-month period. During passive recruitment, 20% of available patients were approached, compared with 63% during active recruitment. Active recruitment also resulted in fourfold increase over passive recruitment in enrollment (from 15.6% to 67.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Allocating research staff specifically for recruitment and personal contact with potential participants is effective in achieving increased enrollment into a national hereditary cancer research registry.
Friebel
Tara M
TM
Mid-Atlantic Cancer Genetics Network, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Park SB202, 600 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Beutler
Ruth Anne
RA
Lee
Shing M
SM
Bernhardt
Barbara A
BA
Helzlsouer
Kathy J
KJ
Griffin
Constance A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D010358:Patient Participation; D018579:Patient Selection; D012042:Registries; D014481:United States