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Conducting Biobehavioral Research in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Recruitment Challenges and Solutions
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Conducting Biobehavioral Research in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Recruitment Challenges and Solutions

Stephanie Gilbertson-White, Nicole Bohr and Karen E Wickersham
Biological research for nursing, Vol.19(5), pp.481-490
10/2017
DOI: 10.1177/1099800417709529
PMCID: PMC5771405
PMID: 28506189
url
https://doi.org/10.1177/1099800417709529View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Despite significant advances in cancer treatment and symptom management interventions over the last decade, patients continue to struggle with cancer-related symptoms. Adequate baseline and longitudinal data are crucial for designing interventions to improve patient quality of life and reduce symptom burden; however, recruitment of patients with advanced cancer in longitudinal research is difficult. Our purpose is to describe challenges and solutions to recruitment of patients with advanced cancer in two biobehavioral research studies examining cancer-related symptoms. Study 1: Symptom data and peripheral blood for markers of inflammation were collected from newly diagnosed patients receiving chemotherapy on the first day of therapy and every 3-4 weeks for up to 6 months. Study 2: Symptom data, blood, and skin biopsies were collected from cancer patients taking epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors at specific time points over 4 months. Screening and recruitment results for both studies are summarized. Timing informed consent with baseline data collection prior to treatment initiation was a significant recruitment challenge for both the studies. Possible solutions include tailoring recruitment to fit clinic needs, increasing research staff availability during clinic hours, and adding recruitment sites. Identifying solutions to these challenges will permit the conduct of studies that may lead to identification of factors contributing to variability in symptoms and development of tailored patient interventions for patients with advanced cancer.
 ErbB Receptors - antagonists & inhibitors Humans Middle Aged Male Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use Neoplasms - psychology Neoplasms - drug therapy Patient Selection Biomarkers, Tumor - blood Aged, 80 and over Adult Biomedical Research - methods Female Aged Quality of Life - psychology Longitudinal Studies Research Design Biobehavioral Sciences - methods

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