Resources to Encourage Participant Retention
Programs have used many different strategies to help with participant retention. Some examples include:
- Interview potential participants to assess readiness to complete the year-long program.
- Start program sessions at the first of the year, after the holiday season, and when people are making New Year’s resolutions.
- Make learning a shared responsibility for the group, rather than the coach serving as an “expert.”
- Provide multiple coaches (co-facilitation) to ensure classes are never canceled.
- Check in with participants regularly using multiple communication methods.
- Offer periodic door prizes for attendance or incentives for completing food and activity trackers.
- Include interactive games and activities, such as food demonstrations and role plays, to keep participants engaged in each session.
- Encourage participants to train for a 5K or other community fitness event to focus on a long-term goal.
- Offer one-on-one meetings with wellness coaches.
- Use a follow-up session to learn a new fitness activity, such as Nordic walking or Zumba.
Retaining eligible participants with prediabetes is critical for your type 2 diabetes prevention lifestyle change program and to improve participant outcomes, check out Keys to Success – Increasing Participant Retention [PDF – 2 MB]
- Page last reviewed: July 6, 2017
- Page last updated: July 6, 2017
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