Table 3.
Provider identification, recruitment, and engagement strategies
| Strategies with positive impact | |
| Identified a well-respected provider champion to sit on the project’s Executive Committee in order to provide real-world suggestions and guidance | |
| Retrieved an electronic copy of the provincial provider list from the College of Physicians and Surgeons (mailing address, telephone and fax numbers) | |
| Conducted a needs assessment to better understand provider challenges with AF management and use of/interest in CDS tools | |
| Applied for and secured approval of continuing professional development credits for participating providers | |
| Conducted small group virtual (webinar, teleconference) education sessions | |
| Conducted site visits to providers’ offices, dropping information in-person to front office staff in order to create a “friendly face” and get to know the names of clinic staff for future communications | |
| Conducted clinic-level lunch and learns to explain the study concept and design; over time, messaging was tailored to be more pragmatic about the benefits of participation for the provider | |
| Utilized peer colleague referrals (e.g., first provider within a clinic to invite their colleagues to participate) | |
| Offered some limited remuneration for non-accredited study activities in recognition of providers’ time | |
| Created a study website, including the ability for providers to register for a webinar event and view news/media articles about the study and investigator team/study office staff | |
| Encouraged interested community members (potential study patients) to discuss participation with their provider | |
| Contacted providers of those patients who called the study office wanting to participate [providers not enrolled at the time] | |
| Strategies with little to no impact | |
| Set-up information booths at academic conferences with promotional materials (brochure/frequently asked questions) | |
| Faxed all providers study information (initial invitation to all Nova Scotia providers and ongoing fax communications for recruited providers) | |
| Conducted local, community-based accredited education sessions to explain the study concept and design, coordinating events where possible with community-based continuing medical education leads | |
| Mailed information brochures to all providers | |
| Sent personalized communications (telephone, fax) from the lead researchers to PCPs they knew, inviting them to participate in the study | |
| Published communications in provincial physicians’ associations magazines and eNewsletters | |
| Utilized social media channels (Twitter, Facebook) to increase awareness | |
| Sent a communication to community-based specialist leaders to ensure they were informed about the study | |
| Strategies with negative impact | |
| Frequent follow-up telephone calls with PCP offices |