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OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors associated with the successful recruitment of general practices to a randomized controlled trial. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of accrual of primary care centers to a randomized controlled trial in the UK. RESULTS: Those practices promptly agreeing to take part had better target achievement and a higher proportion of white British residents locally. Participating practices had a mean Quality and Outcomes Framework attainment of 92% of the points available, whereas nonparticipating practices achieved 88% (P=0.009). Participating practices were located in areas with a higher proportion of white British residents (mean 89%), in comparison to nonparticipating practices (mean 84%, P=0.004). Reasons given by practices to explain nonparticipation were primarily related to internal factors, with 38% of practices approached saying that they could not participate for such reasons. CONCLUSION: There are some small differences between participating practices and nonparticipants in achievement of government targets and in the local ethnic mix. The primary reason given by practices for nonparticipation was workload or time pressures, with over a third of practices reporting being prevented by issues relating to practice organization. It may be that practices with workload or organizational difficulties require additional support to participate in research.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.02.014

Type

Journal article

Journal

J clin epidemiol

Publication Date

01/2009

Volume

62

Pages

67 - 73

Keywords

Attitude of Health Personnel, Early Detection of Cancer, Family Practice, Humans, Male, Physicians, Family, Primary Health Care, Professional Practice Location, Prostatic Neoplasms, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, United Kingdom, Workforce, Workload