Objective: The purpose of this project is to contrast and compare the differential success of traditional recruitment methods to consumer-based recruitment methods in recruiting and retaining minorities into mental health research.
Design: Two randomized clinical trials of geriatric mental health interventions were used as the basis for this study. One project used traditional recruitment methods, the other used consumer-based methods.
Materials and Methods: Traditional recruitment consisted of the use of ads in local papers, radio ads, flyers, and community talks on mental health. Consumer based methods were based on feedback and recommendations from an advisory board made up of representative consumers, providers and gate-keepers. We conducted statistical analysis to determine differential rates of recruitment and retention using these two methods.
Results: Chi square analyses indicate that consumer-based methods result in better recruitment of older minorities (X2 = 27, p. < .001) and better retention of older minorities (X2 = 26.1, p. <. 001) than do traditional methods.
Conclusion: The results suggest that a consumer-centered model of research yields greater recruitment and retention rates than do traditional research methods.
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