Table 5 Limited research nurse support

Research nurse support was needed not only to identify eligible patients, but also to prepare and post the research packs (for method 1) or approach eligible patients on behalf of the researchers (for method 2). While the study team conducted as much of the research pack preparation as possible, labelling and distributing the packs could only be carried out by staff at the hospital sites for both recruitment methods, due to data protection guidance and ethical approvals of processes.

One department stated that they were more likely to allocate their research nurses to larger studies which brought in more patient participants.

The availability of support from research nurses or other staff in the department to help facilitate recruitment was varied. We could invite and therefore interview many more patients (via both recruitment methods) in those departments where a research nurse or other staff member was able to offer support than in those where one was not. Research nurses greatly influenced the success of a research visit.

Having a research nurse with us for 3 days was invaluable.

- (Field notes - hospital 3)

At one-point, reception told me that there were some patients waiting to go to minors, but we could not approach them and we could not find anyone to assist us to approach them. We did not have a research nurse to be able to approach patients on our behalf.

- (Field notes - hospital 14)

Good contact before the visit helps to inform and prepare staff members for the research visit, improving their understanding of the study and how they might help.

If practical preparations (such as preparing patient packs) can be carried out in advance of a research visit, this can lessen the burden on research nurses involved in the study, thus generating more willingness to offer support to research.