Lessons learned from principal investigators on recruitment for community-based health behavior studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Little is known about pandemic-related impacts on participant recruitment into community-based health studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this report was to summarize lessons learned from principal investigators (PIs) of NIH-funded community-based health behavior studies that were scheduled to recruit during the COVID-19 pandemic. We report on findings from three open-ended questions that were part of a 50-question online survey conducted from December 2022 - January 2023, completed by 52 PIs. Four categories of lessons emerged to optimize recruitment into studies: formalize relationships with community partnerships; focus on study operations; recruitment is a science and an art; and reduce participant burden and increase participant benefit. Taken together, these recommendations will require longer and more complex recruitment plans. To implement these plans, researchers and funders will need to allocate more time, thoughtful attention, and financial resources to support formal community partnerships, additional staff time and training, real-time monitoring and refinement of multiple strategies throughout recruitment, and increased attention to participant benefit.