FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW

Emma Whitby; Rebecca Rylance-Graham

doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190

FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Research is essential to understanding and addressing complex health challenges. Healthcare institutions play a critical role in advancing inclusive research strategies that enable effective patient recruitment. Despite this, patient engagement in research remains persistently low and often fails to reflect the diversity of the populations served. Inadequate recruitment is a long-standing challenge and a leading cause of study failure or early discontinuation, resulting in underpowered studies, inconclusive findings, and unanswered research questions. Gaining a deeper understanding of the factors influencing patients’ willingness to participate in research is therefore essential for healthcare institutions, policymakers, and researchers seeking to design more effective and equitable recruitment strategies. A narrative review of the literature was undertaken which aimed to explore the factors that influence patient recruitment and participation in research studies within healthcare settings. Eleven articles were analysed revealing four key themes influencing patient recruitment: (1) altruistic intent, (2) adaptive research strategies for patient recruitment, (3) the importance of strengthening communication strategies in research, and (4) the civic duty of healthcare organisations. These themes highlight the interplay between individual and organisational influences on patients’ decisions to engage in research. The findings indicate that a paradigm shift is required, moving beyond the repeated identification of barriers and facilitators affecting research participation towards the development, implementation, and evaluation of targeted, evidence-based strategies that promote equitable and inclusive patient participation in research.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This narrative review involved retrospective analysis of published, peer-reviewed research. No patient records, identifiable data, or primary data collection were used. In line with Health Research Authority (HRA) guidance (2022), ethical approval and local committee approval were not required.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Nursing (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Emma Whitby ^*
0009-0008-4354-4936
United Kingdom

Rebecca Rylance-Graham
0000-0002-0437-6246
United Arab Emirates

Publication Date

June 24, 2026

Submission Date

January 29, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA79WX56JP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Whitby, E., & Rylance-Graham, R. (2026). FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 11(2), 160-181. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190

AMA

1.Whitby E, Rylance-Graham R. FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW. IJHSRP. 2026;11(2):160-181. doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190

Chicago

Whitby, Emma, and Rebecca Rylance-Graham. 2026. “FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11 (2): 160-81. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190.

EndNote

Whitby E, Rylance-Graham R (June 1, 2026) FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11 2 160–181.

IEEE

[1]E. Whitby and R. Rylance-Graham, “FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW”, IJHSRP, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 160–181, June 2026, doi: 10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190.

ISNAD

Whitby, Emma - Rylance-Graham, Rebecca. “FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 160-181. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190.

JAMA

1.Whitby E, Rylance-Graham R. FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW. IJHSRP. 2026;11:160–181.

MLA

Whitby, Emma, and Rebecca Rylance-Graham. “FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 160-81, doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190.

Vancouver

1.Emma Whitby, Rebecca Rylance-Graham. FACTORS INFLUENCING PATIENT RECRUITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE RESEARCH: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE REVIEW. IJHSRP. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):160-81. doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1867190