A Conceptual Model to Promote the Retention of Women with Physical Disabilities in Research

Laura Mood, Dena Hassouneh, Elizabeth McNeff
2015 Public Health Nursing  
Inadequate participant recruitment and retention practices can affect sample representativeness and thus the generalizability of research findings. Retention of research participants has been examined within the literature to some extent; however, there is no consensus on best practice in achieving acceptable results. Furthermore, there is a gap in understanding how to engage and retain women with physical disabilities (WPDs) in research. To address these oversights, we review (1) the
more » ... ce of retention as a methodologic concern, (2) factors that influence the involvement and retention of participants in research, including individual, population, and healthillness considerations, and (3) particular circumstances impacting the inclusion and retention of WPDs in research. Based on a review of the literature and our experience with the Healing Pathways randomized-controlled trial (RCT), we present a conceptual model to guide culturallysensitive health research implementation with WPDs, and promote the engagement and retention of this group in RCTs and other forms of interventional health research. Principle 1: A community-based participatory approach is most effective in identifying the health-related needs and risks relevant to WPDs Research design and methodologic choices can influence the engagement of women and minorities in health-related studies, as well as their adherence to elements of the research project. The literature recommends that investigators working with these groups involve individuals from the target population in research efforts to ensure full understanding of the Mood et al.
doi:10.1111/phn.12192 pmid:25801324 pmcid:PMC4512922 fatcat:p6x4c5uzvjhsfftpobsfcy4qwi