Table 2.

Suggestions from recruiters to improve future RCT recruitment

Topic	Practical Advice
Communication with patients	Explain equipoise clearly Reduce written information Reduce questionnaire burden/duplication Approach patients who are more likely to agree to take part
Guidance and Support	Recruitment guide Shorter/clearer Patient Information Leaflets
Reducing practical difficulties	Site-specific training Change window of recruitment to a later period after surgery Consider trial design e.g. Cluster RCT
Staff recruitment	Increased involvement of clinical staff in recruitment
Teamwork and Discussion	Meetings between recruiters at different sites
Time planning	Amending screening logs to account for time taken on recruitment tasks