Optimized Recruitment to Drive Equitable Research in Stroke, Empowering Decision-making (ORDERed)

Description

Stroke is a major health issue, especially for women, who are more likely than men to have worse outcomes and lower quality of life after a stroke. Yet, women are under-represented in stroke research, which limits how well treatments work for them. This study aims to change that by testing a new way to recruit women into stroke research using the ORDER toolkit, a set of easy-to-understand, women-focused materials like brochures and videos co-designed with patients. This new approach will be compared to the usual way of recruiting patients. The study will track how many people join, how long it takes to make a decision, and what influences participation. Patients and research coordinators will also share their feedback on the process. Our goal is to make stroke studies more inclusive so that research findings benefit everyone equally.

Interventions

• Supported, women-centred and aphasia-friendly recruitment process (ORDERed) (Other)
  In the ORDERed phase, the Site Coordinator will approach participants for interest in the cohort study by introducing the study and sharing a brochure and brief, women-centred, close-captioned video that further describes the study procedures. These recruitment materials were co-developed with patient partners with lived experience of stroke. The video and brochure will be available on a mobile tablet, with the brochure also available in hard copy. Materials include images representing diverse ethnocultural backgrounds and gender identities and feature the lead researcher and a patient partner. The Coordinator will watch the video with the potential participant, discuss the study, and answer questions. Participants may keep the tablet and printed materials to review and share with family, friends, or healthcare providers before making a decision about enrollment.
• Traditional recruitment processes (TRADITIONAL) (Other)
  With the traditional recruitment process (TRADITIONAL), participants are approached by the Site Coordinator for interest in the cohort study and presented with the standard participant information letter and full informed consent form. The information letter and consent form will be left with the potential participant to view again; the Coordinator will encourage them to share these materials with their family members or friends who may assist with decision making. The Coordinator will return to address any further questions and determine the decision whether to enroll in the study.

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• Foothills Medical Centre — Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Vancouver General Hospital — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre — Toronto, Ontario, Canada