Veteran Recruitment Enhancement Toolkit for Research Coordinators
A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT
A survey of Crescenz VA Medical Center (CMCVAMC) Research Coordinators conducted by the Veterans Community Advisory Board (VCAB) pinpointed limited time to develop rapport with Veterans compounded by limited engagement with providers as contributors to study enrollment deficits.
In response, the VCAB produced this toolkit to make research recruitment Veteran-centered and trauma-informed. The tools and tips below are designed to assist coordinators and project managers as they work to increase enrollment of Veterans in research studies taking place at CMCVAMC.
TRAUMA-INFORMED RECRUITMENT VIDEO AND SOFT SKILL KIT
A 6-minute Trauma-Informed Approach to Recruitment Video was produced by VCAB, accompanied by a conversational Recruitment Guidance Skill Sheet. Both were designed to be included in the Research Coordinator Orientation run by CMCVAMC Research Compliance.
ADS AND FLYERS
Ad and Flyer Templates to advertise active studies to Veterans are included for download in our toolkit. The templates have been approved for use around our facility by CMCVAMC Public Affairs.
Download our brochure highlighting the Importance of Veteran Participation in VA Research for general distribution to Veterans.
SUGGESTED COMPENSATION
VCAB also created a Suggested Compensation Table for a variety of research activities, to ensure Veterans were incentivized appropriately.
IN THE CLINIC ENVIRONMENT
The VCAB understands that enabling coordinators to feel empowered to support a provider through an in-person patient recruitment process is an important part of research participation. To assist with building rapport and engagement with VA clinics and staff, a Clinic Introduction Slide Deck is included for Coordinators to utilize during monthly clinic staff meetings to standardize VA Research introduction, better inform VA Clinical leaders (i.e., Service Chiefs) of active studies, promote research study goals, and answer questions about recruitment objectives and tactics.
ABOUT THE VETERANS COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
The Veterans Community Advisory Board (VCAB) of the VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion was formed in May 2017 to advance Veteran perspectives and engagement in Research.
The VCAB is an independent board that seeks to improve the design of patient-relevant research, increase uptake of research into practice, build Veteran support for research, and restore trust in VA. Veteran members of the VCAB give individual reports of experiences, opinions and perspectives about their health and VA health care. To reach the board, e-mail them at CHERPVCAB@gmail.com.