Rethinking traditional recruitment methods for black men through relationship-based recruitment

Abstract

Understanding health outcomes requires robust community relationships with potential research participants. Traditional recruitment methods have led to low engagement, particularly among Black men, negatively impacting their participation in clinical research. The aim of this research was to share how a relationship-based recruitment approach proved successful for recruiting this population. Black men often face fragmented care due to systemic biases. Despite efforts to improve recruitment, traditional methods prevail, offering minimal context such as travel vouchers resulting in poor response rates. To enhance recruitment, diverse strategies are essential. Engaging Black men in workplaces, sports clubs, community centers, and online platforms can better represent their varied experiences. A relationship-based approach was proven successful, as demonstrated by enrolling 60 Black men with low back pain in 60 days. We advocate for broader and more inclusive practices utilizing these recruitment strategies to improve health research participation in Black communities.

Keywords: Black men; Clinical research; Pain; Recruitment; Relationship-based.