# Two sides of the same coin: recruitment performance and perceived workload in primary care trials-insights from the AgeWell.de study

## TL;DR

This study explores factors affecting recruitment performance and workload in a dementia prevention trial involving general practitioners.

## Contribution

The study identifies individual and structural factors influencing recruitment and workload in primary care research.

## Key findings

- Top 20% of GPs recruited 42.1% of participants, while the lowest quintile recruited only 3.2%.
- GPs with doctorate degrees recruited more patients (IRR = 1.45, p < 0.05).
- Higher perceived workload was linked to increased recruitment engagement (IRR = 1.30, p < 0.1).

## Abstract

Recruitment through general practitioners (GPs) is a key challenge in primary care trials. Understanding how individual, practice, and regional characteristics affect recruitment and perceived workload could help optimize participation strategies. This study aims to identify barriers and facilitators to patient recruitment within the AgeWell.de dementia prevention trial.

We analysed publicly available data on GPs participating in the AgeWell.de trial, including their sociodemographic characteristics, practice structures, and socioeconomic indicators of their practice locations, alongside recruitment and survey data. We used correlation analysis and uni- and multivariable regression models to explore determinants of study engagement in terms of recruitment performance and perceived workload.

Among 120 participating GPs, a total of 1,173 patients were recruited, though contributions varied widely. The top 20% of recruiters (Q5) accounted for 42.1% of all participants, while the lowest quintile (Q1) recruited just 3.2%. GPs with a doctorate degree recruited more patients (IRR = 1.45, p < 0.05). Higher perceived workload was linked to increased recruitment engagement (IRR = 1.30, p < 0.1). In contrast, larger practice teams were associated with lower perceived workload (OR = 0.71, p < 0.1).

GP recruitment performance and perceived workload are closely linked, influenced by both individual research interest and structural support. The disproportionate recruitment burden among a small subset of GPs highlights the need for strategies to engage low recruiters and support high performers. Strengthening practice-based research networks, could help make research involvement more feasible for a wider range of GPs.

Trail registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS; trial identifier: DRKS00013555); Date of Registration: 2017-12-07.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-025-02948-1.