Learning Objectives: Identify strategies to enhance recruitment, follow-up rates, and measurement in research studies conducted among low-income populations.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective: A case study of the Medicaid Stop Smoking Intervention Study (MEDASSIST) will be presented with a focus on recruitment, retainment, and measurement issues of a low-income population.
Methods: MEDASSIST examined the effect of reducing barriers to smoking cessation among Medicaid clients in Erie County, New York. This study utilized a population-based recruitment strategy for enrolling participants. This project included 1) a cross-sectional component to collect data on tobacco use and the awareness of the Medicaid policy to cover the cost of stop smoking medications among Medicaid clients in Erie County, New York, and 2) an intervention component designed to increase use of the Medicaid stop smoking benefit and promote smoking cessation in this low-income population.
Results: More than 95% of all study participants who completed the baseline tobacco use survey expressed interest in taking part in the follow-up intervention study. The intervention study achieved an 83.1% response rate after a three-month follow-up period.
Conclusions: Findings from the MEDASSIST project demonstrate that low income populations are receptive to recruitment and retention as part of smoking cessation studies. Several strategies for enhancing recruitment and the follow-up rate of participants will be discussed. The importance of validating measurements in smoking research (including bioverification of smoke-free status) will be emphasized.
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