How to motivate participation in HES. The purpose of recruitment The goal is to achieve as high...

How to motivate participation in HES

The purpose of recruitment

• The goal is to achieve as high participation as possible• Ensures that the sample represents the target population• Challenging, but necessary for reliable results

• Recruitment process should be specified according to:• National and regional legislation• Survey budget• Cultural norms• Ethical acceptance

Invitation should be motivating

• Invitation most commonly by an invitation letter• Information leaflet with the invitation to raise interest• Phone call may follow the invitation letter

• Important to plan well all written materials• Invitation letter: informative, convincing and professional • Information leaflet: interesting (use colors and pictures),

relevant and concise -> motivates reading

• Re-invitations should be made, if the person is not reached by the first invitation• Second invitation letter, phone calls, home visits (if

feasible)

What motivates participation?

• Importance and relevance of the survey • For public health and for the participant

• Receiving personal benefits:• New information on health status and risks• Incentives (voucher, cash or gift) or

compensation for travel costs

• Requests for help (social responsibility)• Statements of confidentiality• Using all relevant languages

• Helps recruiting ethnic minorities

Practical matters and motivation

• Flexibility in scheduling appointment• Is it possible to participate during evening hours and

weekends?• Are drop in visits possible?

• Duration of the examination – not too extensive• Location

• Is parking available?• Public transportation – Are good connections available?• Distance – Long distances may decrease participation

• Home visits• E.g. for people who are unable/unwilling to participate

otherwise

Survey personnel motivating participation

• Competent and motivated survey personnel play an important role in the recruitment process

• They should• Follow the instructions of the invitation process • Understand the importance of high participation rate• Be ready to give answers to frequently asked

questions (FAQ) and to motivate participants• Be flexible and act in a professional and polite way

Actions for increasing awareness and motivation

• Promotion of the survey through media • Most important goal is to reach and

motivate potential participants • National media campaigns• Local media campaigns before fieldwork • Interviews in radio and TV • Newspapers• Posters and leaflets • Pre-notification before invitation• Survey website

Improving participation through co-operation

• Provide information about the survey to:• National and local health authorities and

health professionals • Local government • Other places that are important for the

community

• Cooperate with • Regional or local hospitals• Non-governmental organizations• Research centers and universities

Actions increasing participation during fieldwork

• Personal contact is more effective• Phone call• Home visit

• Appointment reminder (day before appointment)• Text message • Phone call

• Multiple contact attempts

Motivating participants during fieldwork

• Possibility to ask questions and to reschedule appointments• Contact persons should be easy to reach

• At the examination site:• Comfortable facilities and fluent change

between examinations - limited waiting times• Offering breakfast/ snack between or after

examination• Good atmosphere among survey personnel

and towards participants

After examination

• Participants need to feel appreciated

Thank you!