Recruitment difficulties in a home telecare trial

• Published in: Journal of telemedicine and telecare Vol. 12; no. 1_suppl; pp. 26 - 28
• Main Authors: Mair, F S, Goldstein, P, Shiels, C, Roberts, C, Angus, R, O'connor, J, Haycox, A, Capewell, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.07.2006; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases, Obstructive - therapy; Male; Patient Selection; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - methods; Remote Consultation
• ISSN: 1357-633X; 1758-1109
• DOI: 10.1258/135763306777978371

We analysed the difficulties encountered in recruiting predominantly older patients, suffering from an acute exacerbation of a chronic illness, to a randomized controlled trial of home telecare. Of 653 patients approached for study participation, after full assessment, 80% (519) met the trial eligibility criteria. Of these, 104 (20%) consented to study participation and 415 (80%) refused. A logistic regression model was constructed to examine independent effects of patient factors on probability of trial participation. Only two independent variables were associated with decreased likelihood of consent: increasing age (1 year older: odds ratio [OR] = 0.96); and being on inhaled steroid medication (OR = 0.60). The most common reason for refusal to participate, accounting for almost one-third of respondents, was a stated preference for a face-to-face nurse visiting service rather than a telecare service. Perhaps home telecare services should continue to be targeted at the more stable chronically ill population and not at those suffering from acute illness.