title: Research with families facing cancer: the challenges of accrual and retention.
abstract: The purposes of this article are: (a) to describe and analyze the accrual and retention patterns in a longitudinal randomized clinical trial with prostate cancer patients and their partners, and (b) to discuss strategies that were used to overcome challenges in conducting this family-based study. Initially, 429 dyads were referred to the study. Of these, 166 were not enrolled due to refusal (n = 120) or ineligibility (n = 46), 21 of whom did not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria, and 25 of whom could not be reached within the 2-month window of eligibility. Of the 383 eligible dyads, 263 dyads were enrolled (enrollment rate of 68.7%). Accrual and retention patterns differed by research site, referral procedures, and phase of prostate cancer. The retention rate was very good with the majority of dyads (n = 218) completing all three follow-up assessments at 4, 8, and 12 months (82.9%).
authors: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan 47109, USA.
authors: Laurel L
authors: LL
authors: Northouse
authors: Tansey
authors: T
authors: Rosset
authors: Laurel
authors: L
authors: Phillips
authors: Darlene
authors: D
authors: Mood
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Schafenacker
authors: Trace
authors: T
authors: Kershaw