Table 4

Recruitment strategies for South Asian populations

First author, year
Recruitment strategyWaheed, 201636Brown, 201437Garduno-Diaz, 201438Macneill, 201329Douglas, 201141Rooney, 201139Samsudeen, 201142Stirland, 201140Sheikh, 20099Lloyd, 200843Mohammadi, 200844Hussain-Gambles, 200427Shelton, 200446Krupp, 200745
Language or culture driven
Translated informed consent and option for verbal consentXX
Demonstrated respect and knowledge of culture and traditions, ethics, training of staff in cultural awarenessXXXXXXX
Language knowledge or translators; employing staff with language and cultural similarities to participants; translated materials and interpretersXXXXXX
Support structure for education and training of staff in minority-specific issuesXXX
Culture-specific research toolsXX
Demonstration of religious and cultural knowledge and sensitivityXX
Produce validated translated or culture-specific assessment toolsX
Provision of culturally appropriate incentives and hospitalityX
Communication and engagement
Involvement of community members, sustainable community partnershipsXXXXXXX
Involving family members in recruitment processXXX
Development of trust and personal relationshipsXXXXXX
Constant communication and follow-up, effective disseminationXXX
Recruitment at places of worship and community centres, health practices with high percentage of minorities, ethnically dense areas, through ethnic-specific modes of communicationXXXX
Direct physician recruitment, interaction with senior investigatorsXXX
Engagement of South Asian mediaX
Employing patients and public or seeking input into study design and conductX
Academic–community partnershipsX
Engagement with study participants post-study completionX
Logistics and accommodations
Allowing sufficient time to review study materials and information during recruitmentXX
Personalised versus written contactXXX
Flexibility (location, timing of appointments, childcare, transportation)XXX
Funding to support logistic considerations related to involvement of South Asians in researchXXX
Face-to-face conduct of data collectionX
Catering to gender-specific needsX
Focus groups to identify recruitment barriersX
Visual aids and reduced reliance on verbal exchangeXXX
Policy and study design
Assurance of confidentialityX
Widening eligibility criteriaX
Government supported mandates to include South Asians in researchX
Snowball samplingXX
Employment of multiple strategiesXX
Compensation and incentives
Incentives (financial or otherwise), reciprocal benefitsXXXXXXX
Offering of educational opportunities to attract South Asian health professionalsX
Providing counselling or education on clinical condition of participantsX