Health care providers |
Doctors, nurses, receptionists, and social workers were recruited to disseminate clinical trial information and recruitment materials. Project staff provided onsite recruitment assistance (within IRB guidelines) with phone calls, mailings, and in the clinic. |
Churches |
Clergy promoted the studies with flyers, church bulletins, pulpit announcements, and research team presentations. |
Support groups |
Prostate cancer support group leaders announced studies and disseminated flyers. |
Community cancer organizations |
Organizations included study announcements in newsletters, called known prostate cancer patients, and mailed flyers to their constituents. |
Salons/Barbershops/ Grocery Stores |
Research assistants posted and disseminated flyers. They also encouraged stylists and barbers to discuss the study with clients. |
Senior citizen centers |
Flyers were posted in senior centers and presentations were made by project staff. |
Targeted mailings |
Staff sent mailings to people who have previously participated in other studies (with IRB approval) or were listed among the research institution’s affinity groups. |
Media |
Staff distributed press releases to generate electronic and print media coverage and purchased print advertisements. |
Health fairs |
Staff offered cancer education and study recruitment materials at community health fairs. |
Professional association meetings |
Staff made presentations at the research institution’s Grand Rounds, offered CME sessions about prostate cancer and the study, and made presentations at women’s/men’s clubs such as the Soroptimists Club. |
Word-of-Mouth |
Every contact and study participant was encouraged to tell others about the study and given copies of flyers to facilitate this. |