Operationalising Patient Engagement Through the Alberta Cancer Diagnosis Initiative

Recruitment Strategies for Diverse Populations in Health System Improvement

Bibliographic Data

ID19506544
AuthorsAnna Pujadas Botey (0000-0001-6661-4089, Cancer Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services Calgary Canada, corresponding author), Meaghan Brierley (Health Systems Knowledge & Evaluation, Alberta Health Services Calgary Canada), Michelle Stiphout (Health Systems Knowledge & Evaluation, Alberta Health Services Calgary Canada), Paula J Robson (0000-0003-4640-1371, School of Public Health University of Alberta Edmonton Canada)
Year2025
Volume28
Issue3
Pagese70306-e70306
Publication date2025-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.70306
PMID40474367
OpenAlexW4411108542
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited41

BACKGROUND: Engaging diverse populations is critical for designing effective healthcare initiatives. However, strategies for recruiting participants to ensure meaningful engagement, particularly among harder-to-reach groups, remain underexplored. This study examines recruitment approaches used in the Alberta Cancer Diagnosis Initiative (ACDI) in Alberta, Canada, to address challenges in cancer diagnosis. METHODS: A qualitative study, including seven interviews and four focus groups with 10 members of the ACDI project team (none of them patients or community members) and a review of 20 internal ACDI documents, was undertaken. Data were analysed using inductive coding, focusing on identifying recruitment strategies for engaging participants from diverse groups and considerations for facilitating recruitment. RESULTS: Early commitment to diversity and relationship-building informed recruitment strategies, including working with community brokers and health system navigators. Barriers included a limited time within the grant cycle to develop strong relationships with population groups. The team's capacity to learn from emerging issues, like intersectionality and language, was crucial to developing an adaptive approach to recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored and adaptive strategies, particularly broker- and community-based approaches, are crucial for engaging diverse groups. Lessons learned can inform future initiatives seeking to involve these groups in healthcare decision-making and programme development. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients and community members were actively involved in the ACDI during its planning and development. Their contributions informed engagement activities, ensuring the inclusion of diverse perspectives. This study examined the ACDI project team's perspectives on recruitment strategies and lessons learned, highlighting the importance of adaptive, community-based approaches in engaging diverse participants

Business · Community engagement · Environmental health · Focus group · Health care · Medical education · Political science · Population · Public relations · Qualitative research · Sociology · Ethics in Clinical Research · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access