In order to optimise participation, study participants were given instructions on the study procedure both verbally and in writing at the beginning of the study, and eye-catching posters were put up in the waiting room to remind them of the study.
The ECOMPACT testing kit, packaged in a discreet plain white envelope, consisted of a GEN-PROBE APTIMA unisex low-vaginal collection swab; a GEN-PROBE APTIMA swab transport medium tube; a biohazard bag; a leaflet with detailed instructions on the study protocol, how to collect and transport the specimen and a wallet-sized reminder card with details on how to obtain their test results.
In a 10-day workshop, the Master Counselors were provided with detailed instructions on conducting the study with the children.
Throughout the study, additional instructions on the dispensation of the study medication were available through an interactive web-response system.
Patient recruitment was carried out by physicians from the Department of Geriatric Cardiology, PLA General Hospital, who received proper instructions from the research team on the study aims and design.
Before starting recruitment of patients, physicians and practice nurses received detailed instructions by the research team on the study process (both intervention and control group) and on the coaching program (only intervention group).
Once gamers connected to the website, they had access to information on the researchers, aims of the study and clear instructions on the questionnaire, confidentiality and their right to withdraw at any time from the study.
The dispersion of subjective data may depend on the study material and instructions given.
Participating physicians and site coordinators received training on the study protocol and instructions on case report form completion. Subjects were asked to complete a self-administered, one-time questionnaire during the office visit.
Finally, participants who were willing to participate in the diary portion of the study were given detailed instructions on the diaries.
During the interview, the trained research staff provided the participants with information on the study objectives, gave detailed instructions on how to complete the FFQ, helped them complete questionnaires related to dietary information, and then checked the correctness of the answered questionnaires.
