Vissenberg C, et al. – The objective of this paper was to inspect the recruitment, retention and effective intervention strategies in a 10–month group–based intervention among Dutch, Moroccan, Turkish and Surinamese patients from socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods. The data displayed that for promoting the retention in lengthy self–management interventions, patients ability to feel that they were going on an outing to a social gathering which would be enjoyable, recreational, useful and easy to attend, was significant. Nonetheless, rewards and intensive personal recruitment and retention strategies were required throughout the entire intervention period.

Methods

• The enrollment was carried out via general practitioners (GPs).
• The candidates took part in a 10-month social network-based intervention (10 groups, n=69): Powerful Together with Diabetes.
• It targeted the significant others of participants and intended to increase social support for self-management and to decrease social influences hindering self-management.
• A qualitative process analysis was conducted.
• Retention was estimated through log books kept by group leaders.
• 17 in-depth interviews were completed with participants (multiethnic sample) and 18 with group leaders.
• Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using framework analyses.

Results

• The GP's letter and reminder calls, an informational meeting and the intervention's informal nature enabled the recruitment.
• During the first months, positive group atmosphere, the intervention's perceived usefulness, opportunities to socialise and a reduction in practical barriers facilitated retention.
• After the first months, conflicting responsibilities and variations in the intervention's nature and planning served as a hinderance to the retention.
• Calls from group leaders and the prospect of a diploma assisted the enrollees in overcoming these barriers.