Utility of a point-of-care device in recruiting ethnic minorities for diabetes research with community partners

Background. Recruitment of hard-to-reach ethnic minorities such as Korean Americans (KAs) requires substantial time, cost, and strategic effort. A point-of-care (POC) A1c test could facilitate the recruitment of such populations for diabetes research in community settings. Methods. A two-step approach for participant screening was employed: Potential participants were first screened using the POC A1c test at a community location. Only those with POC A1c levels ≥7.5% were referred for a confirmatory lab test within two weeks. Results. In total, 237 KAs were screened using the POC A1c test; 92 were referred for confirmatory testing and 83 who got the laboratory A1c measurement were confirmed eligible (A1c ≥7.5%). There was a strong positive correlation between the POC and reference laboratory measurements (ρ=0.83, p>.001). Conclusion. Using a POC A1c method as a front-line screening test can facilitate the recruitment of KAs with type 2 diabetes, while saving cost, time, and effort.