How Can We Reduce No-Shows?

Researchers go through a lot for each and every trial they conduct but at the end of the day, what really matters is enrollment so we have come up with the list below to summarise how you can reduce no-shows and get your volunteers to see your study through to its completion.

• First Impressions are Everything
  • If the first contact with your volunteer failed to establish credibility, this will negatively impact your volunteer’s interest in the study. If any of your volunteers’ questions were left unanswered during phone screening, or they were treated in a brisk and impersonal manner, then it is unlikely they will want to enroll in your study.
• Do Not Delay
  • You should be bending over backwards to get people in as soon as they’re interested and not waste any time. Do whatever you can to ensure that first visit happens quickly. If your volunteer is ready to come in two days and the only appointment you have available isn’t until two weeks’ time, then chances are you’ve lost that volunteer’s interest.
• Don’t Advertise Too Early
  • Make sure you’re properly resourced before advertising—if you can’t get people in yet, don’t start recruiting a month or even two weeks before your study, otherwise people will lose interest and your chances of getting no-shows will increase dramatically.
• Be Honest
  • A good way to avoid no-shows is to just let people know it takes a lot of time and effort to set up for that first visit. Explain to people that it is very disruptive and expensive to simply not show up for an appointment, so if they change their mind about participating, to please let you know in advance.
• Structure the Meet and Greet
  • The purpose of a meet and greet is to increase your credibility by having volunteers come to a real, physical place and meet you in person. Structure it in a way that it will involve minimal commitment on the part of the volunteer, make it convenient and personal for them and allow them to reschedule if they have to.
• Don't Send Consent Forms Too Soon
  • Remember that is very easy for people to put even the simplest tasks in the “too hard” basket. And if you ask too much of your volunteers before their interest is high enough, or before the volunteer-researcher relationship is developed enough, you run the risk of losing them as potential participants. That’s why any written information about the study should always be provided in person, as this gives your volunteers plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

These key points are further discussed on our website, you can check out this article to know more about how to make this work for you and your study.