Recruitment and Retention of Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease Reporting Hopelessness in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Successful recruitment strategies included regularly meeting with study recruiters to promote fidelity of enrollment strategies, discussing progress towards goals, and identifying the optimal time frame to meet with hospitalized patients to discuss the study. Successful retention strategies included building rapport with both participants and research staff, responding quickly and thoroughly to participant feedback, and consistently meeting with interventionists and data collectors to ensure study fidelity, troubleshoot challenges, and provide encouragement. The results reinforce that individuals reporting moderate to severe hopelessness require ample time from study staff at enrollment and throughout the study. Future researchers should consider expanding the recruitment timeline to reduce attrition between enrollment and first data collection visit.