Barriers to participation in mental health research: are there specific gender, ethnicity and age related barriers?

摘要: It is well established that the incidence, prevalence and presentation of mental disorders differ by gender, ethnicity age, there evidence also differential representation in health research these characteristics. The aim this paper to a) review current literature on nature barriers participation research, with particular reference age ethnicity; b) effectiveness strategies used overcome barriers. Studies published up December 2008 were identified using MEDLINE, PsycINFO EMBASE relevant mesh headings keywords. Forty-nine papers identified. There was a wide range including transportation difficulties, distrust suspicion researchers, stigma attached illness. Strategies included use bilingual staff, assistance travel, avoiding stigmatising language marketing material focus education about disorder under investigation. very few evaluations such strategies, but ethnically matching recruiters potential participants did not improve recruitment rates. Educational helpful increased recruitment. Mental researchers should consider caregivers procedures where possible, provide clear descriptions study aims describe representativeness their sample when reporting results. systematically investigate are needed.