Implementing substance abuse group therapy clinical trials in real-world settings: challenges and strategies for participant recruitment and therapist training in the Women's Recovery Group Study.
OBJECTIVE
Open-enrollment group therapy research is challenged by the participant recruitment necessary to ensure continuous group enrollment. We present successful strategies to overcome the following barriers during the Women's Recovery Group (WRG) two-site clinical trial (N = 158): maintenance of sample size and balanced gender randomization during continuous enrollment, maintenance of group attendance, and training and retention of therapists over the 24-month continuous group enrollment.


METHODS
To increase recruitment, we targeted referral sources yielding the highest enrollment conversion at each site. Group sessions were consistently held regardless of group size. Therapists were trained in two teams allowing for coverage and uninterrupted treatment over 24 months.


RESULTS
At both sites recruitment and enrollment increased with each successive quarter. Sample size and end date targets were met without disruptions in treatment. Group therapists reported high satisfaction with their training and treatment experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
These strategies supported targeted enrollment and study duration, stability of open-enrollment group therapy frame, and therapist retention and satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Applying these strategies can aid in providing evidence-based group therapy in both clinical and research settings.
Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Shelly F
SF
Greenfield
Michele A
MA
Crisafulli
Julia S
JS
Kaufman
Cathryn M
CM
Freid
Genie L
GL
Bailey
Hilary S
HS
Connery
Michelle
M
Rapoza
John
J
Rodolico
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018579:Patient Selection; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*