Pediatric research
Strategies to increase participant diversity in pediatric research: a systematic review
By Litchfield IJ, Boiko O, Sheldon R and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Multiple strategies have been introduced to improve research recruitment and retention of underserved children and young people (CYP) with long-term conditions. For the first time, this systematic review presents a structured description of CYP and caregiver preferences for these strategies and collates evidence of their impact on participation.
Methods
The Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched. Studies were included from the inception of the database to September 2025 if they were undertaken in a high-income country, with CYP under 19 years with a long-term condition.
Results
We assessed 16,727 records and included 21 studies published between 1998 and 2024, all based in the USA, predominantly drawn from African American and Latino populations. We determined preferences for the positive impact of the use of familiar venues and culturally attuned community events for study activities; communication that was bilingual, used educational games or social media; reliable and equitable relationships with study facilitators; and the co-production of recruitment strategies and study interventions.