Table 3 Data extracted from key studies included in this review
Authors | Study title | Country review was conducted in | Number of studies included | Topic explored | Type of Study | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brown et al. 2014 | Barriers to recruiting ethnic minorities to mental health research: A systematic review | UK | 9 | Mental health research | Systematic review | This review identified various key barriers to the recruitment of ethnic minorities to mental health research. Key findings include pervasive mistrust of research institutions due to historical and ongoing experiences of discrimination, which discourages participation. Cultural and linguistic differences were also highlighted as major barriers, with many studies noting the lack of culturally sensitive communication and materials. Socioeconomic factors, such as financial constraints and limited access to healthcare, further hinder participation. Additionally, the review found that research designs often fail to consider the specific needs and contexts of ethnic minority communities, leading to perceptions of irrelevance. The study concludes that overcoming these barriers requires a multifaceted approach, including building trust, improving cultural competence, and addressing systemic issues within research practices. |
Waheed et al. 2020 | Recruitment and methodological issues in conducting dementia research in British ethnic minorities: A qualitative systematic review. | UK | 33 | dementia research | Systematic review | This review aimed to explore and understand the challenges and barriers associated with recruiting British ethnic minority groups into dementia research. Language barriers and a lack of culturally appropriate research materials were also highlighted as major obstacles, complicating the informed consent process and participant understanding. The review also pointed to mistrust of research institutions, partly due to historical experiences of discrimination, as a barrier to participation. Additionally, the study identified methodological issues such as the lack of diversity among research staff and the failure to consider cultural nuances in study designs, which further impede effective recruitment and engagement. The review concludes that addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive approaches, better community engagement, and more inclusive research practices tailored to the needs of ethnic minority populations. |
Waheed et al. 2015 | Overcoming barriers to recruiting ethnic minorities to mental health research: A typology of recruitment strategies. | UK | 9 | mental health research | Narrative review | The aim of this review was to identify and evaluate different strategies used to overcome barriers to recruiting ethnic minority populations into mental health research. he review identified key barriers such as mistrust in research institutions, cultural and linguistic differences, and logistical challenges. To address these, the study developed a typology of effective recruitment strategies, which included building trust through community engagement, employing culturally competent research staff, and using tailored communication methods. The key findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive approaches and the need for personalized recruitment strategies to improve the inclusivity and representation of ethnic minorities in mental health research. |
Woodal et al. 2010 | Barriers to participation in mental health research: Are there specific gender, ethnicity and age related barriers? | UK | 49 | mental health research | Systematic Review | This review identified distinct challenges faced by different demographic groups in mental health research participation. Ethnicity-related barriers were found to significantly impact participation in mental health research. Key findings include a deep-seated mistrust of research institutions among ethnic minority groups, often rooted in historical experiences of exploitation and discrimination. Cultural stigmas surrounding mental health within these communities further discourage participation, as mental illness may be viewed as a taboo subject. Language barriers also pose a significant challenge, with many participants struggling to understand research materials and communication if not presented in their native language or in a culturally relevant manner. Additionally, the study found that research designs often fail to consider the specific cultural contexts of ethnic minorities, leading to perceptions of irrelevance or exclusion. Addressing these barriers requires culturally sensitive recruitment strategies and efforts to build trust within these communities. |
Hussain-Gambles et al. 2004 | Why ethnic minority groups are under-represented in clinical trials: a review of the literature. | UK | 6 | Clinical trials | Narrative review | This review highlights several key factors contributing to the underrepresentation of ethnic minority groups in clinical trials. Mistrust of medical research and healthcare institutions, stemming from historical and ongoing discrimination, is a significant barrier. Cultural and linguistic differences also play a crucial role, as many ethnic minority participants face challenges in understanding the purpose of trials or the implications of participation. The review identifies socioeconomic barriers, such as limited access to healthcare and financial constraints, which further restrict participation. Additionally, there is a lack of targeted outreach and recruitment strategies that consider the specific needs and concerns of these communities. The review concludes that to increase participation, clinical trials must implement culturally tailored approaches, build trust within minority communities, and address the systemic issues that contribute to their exclusion. |
Symonds et al., 2012 | Recruitment of ethnic minorities into cancer clinical trials: experience from the front lines | UK & US | 33 | Cancer clinical trial | Narrative review | This review explores the practical challenges and barriers faced by researchers in recruiting ethnic minority participants for cancer clinical trials. Key findings reveal that mistrust of medical research, often rooted in historical injustices, is a major obstacle to participation. Cultural differences and language barriers further complicate recruitment efforts, as potential participants may have difficulty understanding trial information or may be hesitant due to differing cultural perceptions of cancer and treatment. Additionally, logistical challenges such as transportation, time commitments, and financial constraints were identified as significant deterrents. The study emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive recruitment strategies, including the use of community outreach and education to build trust and improve understanding of clinical trials among ethnic minority groups. |
Liljas et al., 2017 | Strategies to improve engagement of ‘hard to reach’ older people in research on health promotion: a systematic review | UK | 23 | Health promotion research | Systematic review | This review identifies key strategies for successfully involving older adults, particularly those considered ‘hard to reach,’ in health promotion research. The review highlights that barriers such as social isolation, mistrust in research, and physical or cognitive impairments often hinder participation among older adults. Successful engagement strategies identified include building trust through community-based approaches, using personalized and face-to-face recruitment methods, and ensuring that communication is clear, accessible, and tailored to the needs of older individuals. Additionally, involving older adults in the research design process and offering flexible participation options, such as home visits or simplified procedures, were found to be effective. The review concludes that a combination of these tailored strategies is essential to improve the inclusion and engagement of older, hard-to-reach populations in health promotion research. |
Spencer et al., 2022 | A systematic review of the experiences of minority language users in health and social care research. | UK | 74 | Health and social care research | Systematic review | This systematic review discusses several critical challenges faced by minority language users in engaging with health and social care research. Key findings include significant barriers such as language difficulties, which hinder participants’ ability to understand research materials, consent forms, and communication with researchers. The review also highlights issues related to cultural differences and mistrust of research institutions, which can further impede participation. Effective strategies identified include employing bilingual research staff, providing translated materials, and adapting research methods to be more culturally sensitive. The review underscores the need for improved accessibility and inclusivity in research practices to better accommodate minority language users and ensure their equitable participation in health and social care research. |
Bodicoat et al., 2021 | Promoting inclusion in clinical trials-a rapid review of the literature and recommendations for action | UK | 72 | Improving participation of ethnic minorities in clinical trials. | Rapid review | This review identifies key barriers to the inclusion of diverse populations in clinical trials and offers actionable recommendations to enhance participation. Key findings include persistent issues such as socioeconomic barriers, cultural and linguistic differences, and historical mistrust of medical research among underrepresented groups. The review emphasizes the need for strategies that address these barriers, such as implementing community engagement initiatives, using culturally competent staff, and providing accessible information in multiple languages. Recommendations also highlight the importance of redesigning trial protocols to accommodate the specific needs of diverse populations, improving outreach efforts, and ensuring equitable access to clinical trials. These measures are essential to achieving more inclusive and representative clinical research. |
Bonevski et al., 2014 | Reaching the hard-to-reach: a systematic review of strategies for improving health and medical research with socially disadvantaged groups | UK & Australia | 31 | Improving health research participation among socially disadvantaged groups | Systematic review | This review highlights several effective strategies for enhancing research participation among socially disadvantaged populations. Key findings include the importance of employing community-based approaches to build trust and engage participants, using culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, and addressing logistical barriers such as transportation and financial constraints. The review also emphasizes the need for researchers to adopt flexible and adaptive recruitment methods, including offering incentives and utilizing outreach through trusted community organizations. By implementing these strategies, researchers can better reach and include socially disadvantaged groups, ensuring that health and medical research findings are more representative and equitable. |
Masood et al., 2019 | Synthesis of researcher reported strategies to recruit adults of ethnic minorities to clinical trials in the United Kingdom: A systematic review | UK | 21 | Identifying strategies for recruitment of minority groups in clinical trials | Systematic review | This review identifies key challenges and strategies in recruiting ethnic minorities to clinical trials. The review highlights barriers such as mistrust, language, and cultural differences, and emphasizes the importance of community engagement, culturally tailored materials, and diverse recruiters. Effective recruitment relies on trust-building, flexible trial designs, and early collaboration with minority communities. The paper calls for more standardized reporting and future research into subgroup-specific strategies to improve the inclusion of ethnic minorities in clinical research. |