CADRE Collaborative Alzheimer Disease Research Exchange

Mary Guerriero Austrom, PhDJennifer Bachman, MEd

CADRE* From Merriam-Webster:

1 FRAME, FRAMEWORK 2 a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others; broadly : a group of people having some unifying relationship <a cadre of lawyers> [a cadre of clinician/researchers]

3 a cell of indoctrinated leaders active in promoting the interests of a revolutionary party

* Thank you Bridget

IDND Members

Mary AustromJennifer BachmanMartin FarlowPaula TrzpeczBridget FultzMalaz BoustaniStephanie Munger

Key IssuesRecruitment to dementia research projects

is challenging and costlyResearchers have limited reach to

potential participants for various reasons Access Time Funding Expertise Relationships

Alzheimer’s Association

Provide services statewide Have access to family members and

persons with dementia [pwd] via their network of services

Have or develop a relationship with the families and pwd via their services

CADRE

Developed through the ideas generated at the last IDND meeting

Pilot project proposal is in progress to submit the Roybal Center at IU CAR by the end of week

Specific Aims1. Develop a collaborative system to identify,

inform and recruit potential participants to AD research projects through the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline.

a. Determine criteria that leads to successful recruitment and follow-up versus an unsuccessful attempt

b. Identify the best mechanism to share or link willing research participants with researchers.

Specific Aims

2. Assess the feasibility and acceptability of recruitment through the AA Helpline using well-trained S/Vas recruiters.

a. Evaluate the effectiveness of the training program for Helpline S/V

b. Evaluate the effectiveness of the culture change process with the S/V

Preliminary DataEffects of AA Core Services on Family Caregiver Well-being: A Collaborative Study

Current pilot study the IADC Education Core has undertaken with AAGI and the U of I CAC: Can recruit using Helpline Staff/Volunteers N=55 completed baseline interviews Currently half-way through6-month follow-

up phase N=21completed follow-up interviews

Lessons Learned

S/V became comfortable asking if caller was interested in research

First time callers to Helpline are not put off by the question about research participation

A key feature of the Helpline is the rapport and relationship that quickly develops between the caregiver and S/V answering the call

Lessons Learned The longer the Helpline service, the more receptive

the caller seemed to be willing to participate. Staff that spent the most time answering the helpline

had the highest number of recruits and the highest percentage of completed baseline interviews.

Staff felt a stronger commitment to being successful because they felt recruiting participants to the pilot study was job related.

Increased training/modeling of recruitment questions by phone and consistent internal quality control is necessary.

Challenges Both S/V reported some callers may have felt

obligated to say “Yes” although it was critical to AAGI that this not happen.

Decision making process in considering research participation needs to be further examined.

7 different people answered the Helpline and used differing judgments about asking the question despite the availability of a carefully worded script and protocol.

Challenges

Multiple IRBs presented challenges and created delays in contacting participants [need to shorten this time interval]

5 calls to participants may be the upper limit in attempts to contact

Proposal will include:

Training--increased and on-goingCulture shift at the AAGI

Staff/volunteers like to provide services 6-month trial will likely be acceptable but

on-going research recruitment will involve a shift in culture

Nationally this may be a direction the group is headed

Puts our chapter and collaborators [IADC] ahead of the curve

Figure 1: CADRE Study Design

Call received by the AA helpline

Service provided by staff or volunteer

Yes: Ask if caller interested in research opportunities?

YES: Read script about research gateways (IDND web site, information

packet by mail)

NO: Ask why

Analyze responses for trends or patterns

Add information packet to regular AA mailer

At 2 weeks follow-up call to ask: Did you receive information in mail? Did you visit the web site? Are you

interested in a particular study? May we give your contact information to a particular study?

YES: Give study coordinator caller’s contact information

NO: Ask why

Analyze responses for trends or patterns

Follow up with study coordinator to track success. Track variables associated with successful vs. unsuccessful recruitment (1-3 months)

Is caller a pwd or family caregiver? NO: usual service

Figure 1: CADRE Study Design

Call received by the AA Helpline

Helpline service provided by staff or volunteer

Yes: Ask if caller interested in research opportunities?

Read script about research gateways (IDND web site, information packet by

mail)

NO: Ask why?

Record all responses.Analyze for trends or

patterns

Add information packet to regular AA mailer

Is the caller a person with AD/dementia or a family caregiver? NO: usual service

Figure 1: CADRE Study DesignAt 2 weeks follow-up call as per regular service. Plus ask:

Did you receive information in mail? Did you visit the web site? Are you interested in a particular study? May we give your contact information to a particular study?

YES: Give study coordinator caller’s contact information NO: Ask why

Analyze responses for trends or

patternsFollow up with study coordinator to track success. Track variables associated with successful vs. unsuccessful recruitment (1-3 months)

Time Line

Months 1-2 IRB approval Begin training and culture shift at

AAGI [this is ongoing]Months 3-9 month recruitmentMonths 10-12

Data analysis Write larger proposal

Comments and suggestions