title: Incentive program decreases no-shows in nontreatment substance abuse research.
abstract: This study examined the use of a low-cost incentive program to decrease the rate of unanticipated no-shows in a nontreatment study of the genetics of substance dependence. Low-cost retail items (such as calling cards or gift certificates) were offered contingent on attendance at the first scheduled research appointment. Although the intervention did not result in an increase in the rate of attendance at appointments, it reduced the likelihood of unanticipated no-shows by almost 50%. This reduction was accompanied by a significant increase in advance cancellations. Despite limitations due to the study's A-B design, this research demonstrates that it may be possible to use modest incentives to increase the efficiency of research enrollment and increase service provision for substance abusers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
authors.forename: Alisha R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pollastri
authors.forename: Melyssa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pokrywa
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Henry R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kranzler
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gelernter
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology