Learning Objective #1: Identify four major recruitment strategies utilized in the recruitment of Hispanic cancer patients

Learning Objective #2: Identify the most effective culturally sensitive strategy in the recruitment of Hispanic cancer patients

---

PURPOSE: to compare effectiveness of strategies for recruitment of Hispanic cancer patients. THEORETICAL BASIS: Studies have indicated that recruitment by insiders is more effective in recruitment of Hispanic research participants compared with recruitment by outsiders and that face-to-face recruitment is more effective than indirect recruitment (e.g., newspaper announcements, flyers). DESIGN: This analysis utilizes a cross-sectional comparative design, which is part of a larger study including four major ethnic groups in the U.S. SAMPLE: Twenty five Hispanic cancer patients have been recruited using a convenience sampling method, and recruitment will continue until 100 Hispanic participants are recruited. METHODS: Four major strategies have been used for the past two years: (a) recruitment through general and ethnic-specific Internet cancer support groups; (b) recruitment through Hispanic Internet communities/groups; (c) recruitment through Hispanic community centers by insiders and outsiders; and (d) face-to-face recruitment through hospitals/clinics by insiders and outsiders. During the recruitment process, the research staff has held group meetings and discussed recruitment issues as they arise, and the number of participants recruited through each method has been recorded. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. FINDINGS: Among four recruitment strategies, face-to-face recruitment through hospitals/clinics by insiders and outsiders was found to be the most effective recruitment strategy. Three were recruited through the first three recruitment strategies, and 22 were recruited through the face-to-face recruitment method. Thus far, the best strategy has been the face-to-face method at hospital oncology floors and clinics and community support groups. It was noted that direct interaction with potential participants has aided in the recruitment efforts of this particular group. CONCLUSION: The findings supported that face-to-face recruitment is the most effective recruitment strategy regardless of the ethnicity of the recruiters. This finding strongly suggests that culturally sensitive recruitment strategies need to be used to recruit ethnic minorities for research projects.