Bridging the Gap: Effective Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Participants in Clinical Trials

BackgroundClinical trials are vital for advancing medical knowledge, yet engaging diverse populations-those under-represented due to race, age, income, education, geography, sexual orientation, or gender identity-remains a challenge, limiting research generalizability.MethodsThis study used a literature review and semi-structured interviews with participants from diverse backgrounds recruited on LinkedIn. A demographic survey was conducted via Qualtrics, yielding 21 responses and 15 study participants. The research identified barriers to participation: inadequate community engagement, trial awareness, mistrust, and unaddressed social determinants of health, with data analyzed for key themes.ResultsFour themes emerged: (1) Community engagement builds trust; (2) Addressing social determinants alleviates barriers; (3) Peer education empowers participants; (4) A representative workforce enhances recruitment.DiscussionFindings emphasize the necessity of inclusive practices in clinical research, highlighting that targeted strategies can improve diversity in clinical trials, leading to more equitable healthcare outcomes. Future research should refine these strategies in specific therapeutic areas.