Table 5 Intervention INC retention strategies and results
Strategy | Challenge(s) | Solution(s) |
|---|---|---|
• Assigned trained study staff to dyads at baseline visit for the length of the study | • Study staff left while the study was still in progress | • Study staff that were leaving gave notice to PI • Reassigned dyads to available trained study staff |
Incentives • Up to $70 in gift cards for the parents/guardians for completing study visit. Amount increased for each study visit • Up to $65 in gift cards for children completing study visits. Amount increased for each study visit. • $100 gift card raffle entry for dyad participants that completed all study components. • Variety of gift cards to choose from: Aldi, Wholefoods, Modell’s, Target o ○ Based on previous research | Mailing gift cards • Due to mailbox issues, some participants did not receive gift cards | • Participants that were unable to receive mail picked up gift cards at the study site |
Family-friendly experience and interactions with study staff • No explicit rule around bringing additional family members to study visit | • Additional children/members attended study visits • Initially, not enough snacks for additional people • Initially, no methods of entertaining additional kids • Having additional people in the room distracted parents/kids during data collection | • Provided entertainment for other siblings, i.e., toys, drawing • Provided access to wifi (to use on personal devices) for older siblings/other adults • Ensured availability of larger meeting space or multiple spaces if multiple people came |
Flexible options for completing second and third study visits • Telephone • Video calling | • Some adult participants were unable to complete questionnaires on their own because they were not comfortable using technology | • Participants were offered the option to come in person and meet with trained study staff to complete the questionnaire • Participants were offered assistance completing the questionnaire through the phone |
Provided a hospitality room and were greeted by trained study staff • Toys • Food and beverages • Seating area | ||
Internal communication and ongoing quality improvement • Weekly meeting to discuss challenges • Trained in providing excellent customer services ○ Empathy ○ Non-judgmental ○ Non-confrontational ○ Culturally sensitive | ||
Convenient study location centrally located in East Harlem neighborhood and flexible study visit dates/times (included weekends and evenings) | ||
Unified communication system • Google Voice number as single study phone and texting line • Single Hunter College email address accessible to all study staff • Google calendar as central scheduling platform | • Coordinated monitoring of the study line and email (especially with Spanish-speaking participants) | • Additional staff (especially Spanish-speaking) were added to the study team • Standardized monitoring/scheduling procedure incorporated |
• Thank you cards after third study visit and reminder for last in-person study visit • 2 recipes sent between third study and last in-person study visit |