title: Translational research at community health centers: challenges and successes in recruiting and retaining low-income Latino patients with type 2 diabetes into a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: To describe methods used to recruit and retain low-income Latinos in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a diabetes self-management intervention at 5 community health centers (CHCs) in Massachusetts.
  
  
  
  Consent from primary care providers (PCPs) was obtained to screen their patients. Trained site research coordinators (SRCs) screened, recruited, and enrolled participants following a multistep process (medical record reviews, PCP approval, a patient eligibility interview) and provided support for retention efforts. Assessment staff were trained in motivational strategies to facilitate retention and received ongoing support from a retention coordinator. Electronic tracking systems facilitated recruitment and retention activities.
  
  
  
  Of an initial pool of 1176 patients, 1034 were active at the time of screening, 592 (57%) were eligible by medical record review, and 487 received PCP approval (92% of reviewed patients). Of these, 293 patients completed the patient screening interview (60% of patients with PCP approval, and 76% of those reached), and 276 were eligible. Sixteen percent of all active patients refused participation, and 8% of contacted patients were unreachable. Two hundred fifty-two patients were randomized after completion of baseline assessments. Clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial assessment completion rates were 92%, 77%, and 86% at 12-month follow-up, respectively, and 93% of patients completed at least one study assessment at 12 months.
  
  
  
  CHCs are a prime setting for translation research aimed to eliminate diabetes health disparities. Successful recruitment and retention efforts must address institutional/organizational, research team, and patient-related challenges.
authors: The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (Dr Rosal, Ms White, Ms Borg, Dr Ockene, Mr Magner)
authors: Milagros C
authors: MC
authors: Rosal
authors: The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (Dr Rosal, Ms White, Ms Borg, Dr Ockene, Mr Magner)
authors: Mary Jo
authors: MJ
authors: White
authors: The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (Dr Rosal, Ms White, Ms Borg, Dr Ockene, Mr Magner)
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Borg
authors: Brightwood Health Center, Springfield, Massachusetts (Dr Scavron)
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Scavron
authors: Family Health Services of Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts (Dr Candib)
authors: Lucy
authors: L
authors: Candib
authors: The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (Dr Rosal, Ms White, Ms Borg, Dr Ockene, Mr Magner)
authors: Ira
authors: I
authors: Ockene
authors: The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (Dr Rosal, Ms White, Ms Borg, Dr Ockene, Mr Magner)
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Magner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003151:Community Health Centers; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008404:Massachusetts; D018579:Patient Selection; D011203:Poverty; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin