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Eating Disorders

Beyond Designing Interventions: Applying Human-Centered Design to Research Recruitment and Engagement Pathways

(PS7-10) Beyond Designing Interventions: Applying Human-centered Design to Research Recruitment and Engagement Pathways

Saturday, November 16, 2024

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM EST

Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown

Author(s)

Leah M. Parsons, B.S.

Research Assistant
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Chidiebere Azubuike, M.S.

Research Study Coordinator
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Co-Author(s)

Adrian Ortega, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Isabel R. Rooper, B.A.

Research Study Coordinator
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Lindsay D. Lipman, B.A.

Research Assistant
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Macarena Kruger, B.S.

Clinical Psychology MA Student
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Andrea K. Graham, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Abstract Text: Introduction: Trials of digital health interventions (DHIs) require enrolling and retaining participants. However, participants often drop out of DHI studies and stop using DHIs. Though multiple factors may influence engagement, high dropout rates indicate the need to improve potential participants’ interest and understanding of DHI trials prior to enrollment. Human-centered design (HCD) is a method to improve engagement in DHIs by centering the needs of target users in the design process. HCD is not often applied to trial recruitment materials but could improve enrollment and engagement. This abstract disseminates our findings applying HCD methods to iteratively design recruitment materials for a trial to evaluate a DHI for binge eating and weight-related behaviors. Methods: Design session participants were recruited to match intended trial participants (BMI ≥30 kg/m2, ≥12 episodes of binge eating in the past 3 months); eligible individuals were invited to design sessions based on age, sex, race, and ethnicity to ensure representativeness of perspectives. In the design sessions, participants were shown our recruitment website, video, brochure, social media/public transport ads, and flyers. Participants were encouraged to use the think-aloud method to vocalize their reactions while viewing these materials. Participants’ preferences were assessed regarding the materials’ aesthetics (e.g., engaging features, imagery), accessibility (e.g., language comprehension), credibility and effectiveness, and placement (e.g., location of multimedia). Interviews were transcribed, and content analysis was conducted to extract participants’ recommendations for improving the materials.

Results: Individual interviews were conducted with 10 adults (50% self-identified as female, 30% non-Hispanic Black, 30% non-Hispanic White, 40% Hispanic). Participants preferred multimedia materials and images of real people over animations. Participants also said that highlighting the study’s academic affiliation and using phrases like “science-backed” would add credibility. To improve understanding of the trial, they recommended placing the informational video more prominently on the website. They also suggested making the trial compensation details and links to the trial screener more prominent.

Discussion: Applying HCD methods to our recruitment materials was feasible and useful. Participants’ feedback informed changes to our trial recruitment materials, which have been implemented and are currently being deployed. We will measure the success of these improvements by monitoring who is enrolled and retained, and iterate our materials through additional HCD activities as needed. We encourage clinical researchers to apply HCD beyond designing DHIs to recruitment pathways as well.