JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant vulnerabilities of traditional in-person recruitment methodology in the face of limited access to clinical facilities. Remote recruitment is a potential solution, but its yield and efficiency is unknown.

Objective:

Determine remote recruitment enrollment rates for a pilot feasibility trial of an electronic monitoring device (EMD) for asthma in the pediatric population.

Methods:

Children 4-18 years old with persistent asthma receiving inhaler medications compatible with an EMD were screened for enrollment into a feasibility and acceptability trial. The emergency department (ED) and inpatient wards were identified as initial, in-person recruitment locations prior to the pandemic. Due to COVID-19, recruitment sites were shifted from exclusive ED/inpatient enrollment to outpatient primary-care/pulmonary clinics in an attempt to increase enrollment rates. Study staff called families to determine interest in the study. Patient age, race/ethnicity, insurance, contact attempts and reasons for enrollment/refusal were recorded. E-consent was obtained through the Redcap database and baseline surveys were administered via phone.

Results:

Since November 2019, study staff reached 52.3% (147/278) of eligible families by telephone. Thirteen percent (37/278) of families contacted were enrolled in the study. It took study staff a mean of two attempts to reach individuals for initial enrollment, but a mean of four additional attempts to complete consent forms. Of the families approached, 47% were Hispanic/Latino, 26.5% Black/African American, 24.5% White, and 2% Asian. Among patients approached, 20% of Asians, 16% of Whites, 14.5% of Hispanic/Latinos, and 12% of Blacks enrolled in the study.

Conclusions:

Telephone recruitment was low yield across all racial/ethnic groups, averaging about one successful enrollment per eight candidates approached. A substantial number of contacts was required to obtain E-consent forms and complete survey questionnaires after participant agreement to enroll. The study findings suggest that when there are barriers to in-person recruitment, remote recruitment is a feasible alternative, but the yield is relatively low and enrollment requires persistent, repeated follow-up contacts.