The challenges of recruiting and retaining GPs in research: Findings from a smoking cessation project

Abstract

This paper uses process evaluation to describe the challenges faced in recruiting and retaining general practitioners (GPs) into a smoking cessation Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) that tested "in-practice" versus "referral to the Quitline" delivery of national smoking cessation guidelines within general practice. GPs expressed interest in participating in the research either through Divisions of General Practice or through a targeted mail-out to localised networks. The project aimed to recruit and retain 60 GPs. Initially 111 GPs expressed interest in the project, with 44 GPs (40% of those expressing interest) taking part. Using localised networks provided a higher rate of interest than u..