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Table 5 The 7R framework of the PCP recruitment in an RCT assessing effectiveness of electronic decision-support tool for patients with chronic pain

From: Evaluation of electronic recruitment efforts of primary care providers as research subjects during the COVID-19 pandemic

R-factors

Electronic recruitment approaches used

Challenges faced

Relationship

—Introductory email to clinic leadership by a primary care service line lead.

—OneSheet’s demonstration video by clinician champion included in the synchronous video presentation.

—Limited opportunities to form relationships with eligible PCPs, and clinic leadership through frequent in-person check-ins.

—Inability to promote the project through in-person, informal chats with eligible PCPs by clinical champion.

Reputation

— Synchronous video presentation and electronic consent form articulated appropriate data protection of participant information.

—Primary care service line lead and clinician champion emails reinforced team’s reputation and OneSheet’s value.

—Limited options for demonstrating team’s reputation for conducting high quality research.

Requirements

— Synchronous video presentations done during provider meetings.

—Explanation of the participation burden.

—Opportunity to choose preferred communication.

—Demonstration of OneSheet’s user-friendliness and clinical effectiveness.

—Uncertainty about PCPs understanding of the reasonable requirements for participating in the study due to low engagement at the synchronous video presentation and lack of responsiveness to follow-up emails.

Rewards

—Opportunity to use OneSheet with potential to improve care.

—Acknowledgement of PCPs contributions.

—Tokens of gratitude for the treatment group

—Limited options for articulating OneSheet’s potential for improving care.

Reciprocity

All electronic communication included:

—Anticipated burden of participation

—Description of support for treatment group

—Goal of minimizing workflow disruptions.

—Uncertainty about PCPs understanding of the expectations and team’s support due to low engagement at the synchronous video presentation and lack of responsiveness to follow-up emails.

Resolution

—Follow-up emails sent to eligible PCPs by research coordinator, clinic leaders, and a primary care service line lead.

—Lack of responsiveness to follow-up emails.

—Overestimating the effectiveness of the synchronous video presentations.

Respect

All electronic communication included:

—Communication of respect for PCP time and willingness to participate.

—Opportunity to stop participation at any point.

—Opportunity to choose preferred communication.

—Uncertainty about PCPs receptivity and apprehension of the team’s respect for participating in the study due to lack of responsiveness and low engagement in electronic communication.

  1. Note: Expanded definitions of the 7R components: (1) relationship: recruiters need to be known for their involvement in the local medical community and for doing practical research, (2) reputation: recruiters need to be known for doing research. Participants need to believe that the relationship and information will not be abused, (3) requirements: resource demands for participants in study-related activities need to be minimized, (4) rewards: nominal recognition for participating and the reward of learning new knowledge are important in recognizing the participant’s effort, (5) reciprocity: mutual obligation should be negotiated for what is to be provided by recruiters and what is to be expected from participants, (6) resolution: recruitment persistence and a willingness to repeatedly make contact are needed until agreement to participate is eventually reached, and (7) respect: recruiters need to genuinely respect participants, their work, and their constraints. Participation should never be taken for granted