Maximizing Retention Through Participant Engagement: The U.S. POINTER Alumni Extension Study

Presentering Authors:Sarah M. Graef, Jeffrey Katula on behalf of the U.S. POINTER Group: Laura D. Baker, Sharon Wilmoth, Nancy Woolard, Maria C. Carrillo, Heather Snyder, Jennifer Ventrelle, Katelyn R. Garcia, Laura Lovato, Allison Heinrich, Emily Meyers, Claire Day, Olivia Matongo, Susan Antkowiak, Mary Ellenburg, Leslie Teague, Mayra Diaz, Pankaja Desai, Brittany Mabry, Ashley Alexander, Arely Perez, Rose Trevino-Whitaker, Lorrance Malko, Kathryn Demos McDermott, Shauna Hyde, Caitlin Egan

TAKEAWAY: Retention efforts work best when aligned with what matters to participants: learning, helping others, expert guidance, and convenience.

BACKGROUND
Study retention is critical for the success of any clinical trial. Participant attrition undermines causal inferences and precludes definitive conclusions. Few studies have examined motives for enrolling in research studies and follow-up studies. Effective methods for maintaining and retaining participants through follow-up periods are scarce.

PURPOSE
To report methods to retain participants to a 4-year follow up observation period following a 2-year RCT.

 

METHODS
1. Surveys collected from 1614 (76%) of U.S. POINTER participants consented to the Extension.
2. Events designed using results from the 16-question survey.
3. 5 sites created monthly brain healthy events in the recruitment communities.

 
RESULTS
•Participants value continuing education, helping others, location, and expertise.
•Study-wide average monthly contacts:
•Events = 9
•Attendees = 120
•Unique attendees = 108
•First-time attendees = 31
•Clinic retention of the Extension:
Year 1 = 90%
Year 2 = 84%

Funded by the Alzheimer’s Association: POINTER-24-1186201 EXT