Challenges in recruiting participants in a multi-centre study on symptom experiences and self care strategies of bowel symptoms following colo-rectal surgery
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Date
2012-05
Authors
Landers, Margaret
McCarthy, Geraldine
Savage, Eileen
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Sage Publications
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Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this paper is to present some of the challenges found to be problematic in recruiting individuals following sphincter saving surgery for rectal cancer for a multicentre study. While the focus of the study is on symptom experiences and management of bowel symptoms following colo-rectal surgery, the paper will concentrate solely on the challenges experienced in recruiting a sample for the study. Background Recruitment of an adequate number of participants is a challenge for researchers in any area of research involving patients. Enrolment of patients treated for rectal cancer poses particular challenges because the total population of this group in a given country can be small. The use of multiple centres was required to obtain the required number of participants for the current study. Findings: In multicentre studies, researchers can encounter substantial challenges in obtaining ethical approval, accessing clinical sites and gaining direct access to patients. These challenges are embedded in a convoluted process involving many systems of communication, which can vary from one centre to another. Conclusions: The process of obtaining ethical approval is prolonged in the absence of a central ethical review committee. A review process based on a standard application for researchers seeking ethical approval for multi- centred studies central is necessary. Establishing and maintaining access to clinical sites requires co-operation from many individuals during the development of the proposal and continuing throughout the data collection process.
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Keywords
Colo-rectal cancer , Multi-centre study , Research access , Ethical approval , Research subject recruitment , Surgery , Evaluation , Colorectal neoplasms
Citation
Landers, M., McCarthy G., and Savage E. (2012) 'Challenges in recruiting participants in a multi-centre study on symptom experiences and self care strategies of bowel symptoms following colo-rectal surgery'. Journal of Research in Nursing, 17(5): 497-506. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1744987111423189
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© The Author(s) 2012. Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav