Mobile phones support adherence and retention of indigenous participants in a randomised controlled trial: strategies and lessons learnt

Table 1 Framework used in our study

Pre study discussion	● Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) (consultation and endorsement of study)
Pre study discussion	● Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) (endorsement of study plan)
On the ground	● Clinical Nurses with broad experience working in
On the ground	● Indigenous health
Research team	● Paediatrics
	● Clinical research
	● Remote health settings
Project specific	● Briefings to IRG on study progress.
	● DSMB updates on recruitment and retention.
	● Providing education on bronchiolitis to parents using pictorial flipchart.
	● Research nurses spending time discussing child’s treatment and management in hospital and home.
	● Consent process: using a pictorial flipchart in conjunction with a plain language information booklet.
	● Education on how to prepare, when to give medication and attend health clinic for 21 day review.
	● Education to nursing staff on paediatric wards to improve awareness and understanding of bronchiolitis.
Mobile phone specific	● Calling parent in hospital (number transcribed correctly and enabled two way communication).
	● Obtaining additional number (if able).
	● Calling parent from personal/study mobiles.
	● Providing parents with option of calling from free 1800 number.

ISSN: 1471-2458