Abstract
Obtaining samples of older adults with mental health difficulties is a challenging task for investigators. Anxiety, one of the most frequently occurring mental health issues in older adults, produces unique recruitment challenges. The goal of this article was to replicate and extend earlier findings concerning the recruitment of community-dwelling older adults experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Data gathered over a 45-month period of a clinical trial for GAD suggested that media sources produced both the greatest number of inquiries (66%) and study participants (79%). Surprisingly, referrals from healthcare professionals accounted for only 6% of participants, highlighting the need to improve collaboration between medical and mental health practitioners. Data also addressed the representativeness of participants relative to callers in terms of inclusion/exclusion criteria and demographic characteristics. Overall, the report emphasizes the importance of careful planning and monitoring of recruitment strategies for clinical trials with older adults with GAD.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 385-394 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Mental Health and Aging |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 2001 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Psychiatry and Mental health