Analysis of recruitment strategies: Enrolling veterans with PTSD into a clinical trial

This analysis evaluated the efficacy of a variety of recruitment methods employed in a medication trial in a veteran population. Recruitment and demographic data were collected over the course of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the efficacy of an experimental medication for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify demographic and recruitment variables predictive of consenting to participation in the trial. Data were collected for 1,050 potential study participants. As compared with individuals contacted by mail based on chart review, potential participants who were referred by a clinician were 3 times more likely to consent to participate, and individuals who responded to an advertisement were 5 times more likely to consent to participate. Females were more likely to respond to advertisements, whereas males were more likely to be referred. Those who were referred were significantly older than potential participants identified via the directed mailing. Clinician referral was the method most likely to lead to identifying an eligible and willing participant. When designing a recruitment plan for a clinical trial, factors such as the target sample and available staff should be carefully considered.