Recruitment and retention of rural African Americans in diabetes research: lessons learned.
The purpose of this article was to describe lessons learned about recruitment and retention of rural African Americans from published literature, the authors' research, and research experience. Two rural, community-based research studies with African Americans with diabetes are used to illustrate different issues and strategies in recruitment and retention.



Relevant MEDLINE articles and clinical studies were reviewed, and the design, implementation, and results of the 2 community-based studies were evaluated. Information from the literature, research results, and sample selection, participation, and attrition experiences were synthesized to determine effective approaches for recruitment and retention.



Research funding, design, and implementation; recruitment methods; culturally competent approaches; caring, trusting provider-patient relationships; incentives; follow-up; and factors in the rural environment emerged as important issues influencing recruitment and retention.



Recruitment and retention of African Americans in rural diabetes research is a significant challenge, and adequate funding should be sought early in the research process. Culturally competent approaches; caring, trusting relationships; incentives; and follow-up are important concepts in successful recruitment, participation, and retention of African Americans. The lessons learned may be applicable to the more widespread issue of recruitment and retention of rural African Americans in diabetes education programs.
Loftin
Wanda Anderson
WA
The College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia (Dr Loftin)
Barnett
Steven K
SK
Fairfield Medical Associates, Winnsboro, South Carolina (Dr Barnett)
Bunn
Peggy Summers
PS
The Diabetes Education Program, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, South Carolina (Ms Bunn)
Sullivan
Patra
P
Fairfield Diabetes Education Center, Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Winnsboro, South Carolina (Ms Sullivan)
D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology*; D000359:Aftercare; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004645:Empathy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009042:Motivation; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012424:Rural Population; D013022:South Carolina; D035502:Trust