Table 3 Steps taken by research teams to optimise recruitment and interviewees’ suggestions for improvement

Preparation and planning

• Assess feasibility before embarking on a study

• Create shared research databases of potentially eligible patients

• Pre-screen clinic notes to identify potentially eligible patients

• Increase speed of ethical approval process

• Establish patient identification centres in surrounding hospitals

• Ensure research nurses are available to discuss study during patient’s clinic appointment

Engendering patient support

• Research introduced by patient’s doctor

• Increase public awareness of clinical research

• Advertise the study, but also approach patients individually

• Opt-out systems

• Explain importance of clinical research for improvements in healthcare

• More accessible participant information sheets

• Increase use of information technology

• Discuss the multidisciplinary team involved in research

• Support patients without English as their main language

• Reduce time commitment required and increase flexibility of appointment times

• Social events for trial participants

• Increase financial support for participants

Collaboration with clinicians

• Establish integrated clinical and academic teams

• Greater collaboration with primary care clinicians

• Hold research meetings and provide regular updates and feedback

• Enlist a dedicated study co-ordinator

• Give prizes for successful recruitment