How to motivate participation in HES

How to motivate participation in HES

The purpose of recruitment• The goal is to achieve as high participation as

possible• Ensures that the sample represents the target population• Challenging, but necessary for reliable results

• Recruitment process should be specified according to:• National and regional legislation• Survey budget• Cultural norms• Ethical acceptance

Invitation should be motivating

• Invitation most commonly by an invitation letter• Information leaflet with the invitation to raise interest• Phone call may follow the invitation letter

• Important to plan well all written materials• Invitation letter: informative, convincing and professional • Information leaflet: interesting (use colors and pictures),

relevant and concise -> motivates reading

• Re-invitations should be made, if the person is not reached by the first invitation• Second invitation letter, phone calls, home visits (if

feasible)

What motivates participation?• Importance and relevance of the survey

• For public health and for the participant

• Receiving personal benefits:• New information on health status and risks• Incentives (voucher, cash or gift) or

compensation for travel costs

• Requests for help (social responsibility)• Statements of confidentiality• Using all relevant languages

• Helps recruiting ethnic minorities

Practical matters and motivation

• Flexibility in scheduling appointment• Is it possible to participate during evening hours and

weekends?• Are drop in visits possible?

• Duration of the examination – not too extensive• Location

• Is parking available?• Public transportation – Are good connections available?• Distance – Long distances may decrease participation

• Home visits• E.g. for people who are unable/unwilling to participate

otherwise

Survey personnel motivating participation

• Competent and motivated survey personnel play an important role in the recruitment process

• They should• Follow the instructions of the invitation process • Understand the importance of high participation rate• Be ready to give answers to frequently asked

questions (FAQ) and to motivate participants• Be flexible and act in a professional and polite way

Actions for increasing awareness and motivation

• Promotion of the survey through media • Most important goal is to reach and

motivate potential participants • National media campaigns• Local media campaigns before fieldwork • Interviews in radio and TV • Newspapers• Posters and leaflets • Pre-notification before invitation• Survey website

Improving participation through co-operation

• Provide information about the survey to:• National and local health authorities and

health professionals • Local government • Other places that are important for the

community

• Cooperate with • Regional or local hospitals• Non-governmental organizations• Research centers and universities

Actions increasing participation during fieldwork

• Personal contact is more effective• Phone call• Home visit

• Appointment reminder (day before appointment)• Text message • Phone call

• Multiple contact attempts

Motivating participants during fieldwork

• Possibility to ask questions and to reschedule appointments• Contact persons should be easy to reach

• At the examination site:• Comfortable facilities and fluent change

between examinations - limited waiting times• Offering breakfast/ snack between or after

examination• Good atmosphere among survey personnel

and towards participants

After examination

• Participants need to feel appreciated

Thank you!