Conducting research among healthcare professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa presents unique challenges—but with the right strategy, it also offers immense rewards. At Field Scope International, we recently completed a multi-country provider survey in key African markets: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Our objective? To engage General Practitioners, Nurses, and Specialists to gain valuable insights into healthcare delivery, treatments, and clinical protocols.

Here’s how we approached it—and what we learned along the way.

Markets Covered

• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
• Kenya
• Mozambique
• Nigeria

What Worked: Key Success Factors in Recruiting Healthcare Providers

Pre-Recruitment & Scheduling

Engaging healthcare professionals in advance and scheduling interviews during off-peak hours—early mornings, lunch breaks, and evenings—led to higher participation rates and fewer last-minute cancellations.

Fair Compensation

We recognized the financial sacrifice providers make to participate in research. Offering appropriate incentives not only secured their time but also encouraged word-of-mouth referrals, creating a powerful snowball effect.

GPs & Nurses More Accessible

Compared to specialists, General Practitioners and Nurses were more available due to flexible schedules and higher presence in public facilities.

Referral-Based Recruitment

Initial respondents referred colleagues, allowing us to expand quickly across facilities and regions with minimal resistance.

Building Trust Through Transparency

Participation increased significantly when we clearly communicated:

• Who commissioned the study
• The purpose of the research
• How their data would remain confidential and anonymous

Strategic Fieldwork Methodology

We employed a tiered recruitment strategy:

• Facility Identification: Targeted large public hospitals in major cities like Nairobi, Kinshasa, Maputo, and Lagos.
• Direct Outreach: Engaged health workers directly at their workplaces to build rapport.
• Referral Expansion: Leveraged a snowball sampling method to grow our participant base.
• Off-Peak Scheduling: Avoided clinic days and high-volume hours to maximize availability.

Challenges & Our Solutions

Challenge

Difficulty accessing specialists

High patient loads

Lack of Ministry of Health support

Confidentiality concerns

Limited time for interviews

Our Solution

Recruited through private clinics and peer referrals

Scheduled interviews during non-clinic hours and off-shifts

Built direct trust with providers and facility leaders

Emphasized data protection and anonymity protocols

Conducted brief, pre-scheduled sessions with compensation

Real-World Provider Insights

“Doctors appreciated knowing who commissioned the study and why—it made them more comfortable participating.”

“Once we completed an interview, the respondent often referred two or more colleagues.”

“Scheduling during non-clinic hours increased response rates significantly.”

Recommendations for Future Provider Surveys in Africa

• Pre-Recruit Always – Don’t rely on cold visits. Confirm availability in advance.
• Use Referral Networks – Snowball sampling is especially effective with specialists.
• Respect Their Time – Strong, fair compensation is key.
• Schedule Smartly – Target quieter shifts and avoid clinic days.
• Be Transparent – Clearly explain data use, confidentiality, and who’s behind the study.
• Leverage Local Connections – Tap into existing relationships with health workers and communities.

Why Partner with Field Scope International?

At Field Scope International, we bring:

✔ Deep regional expertise across Sub-Saharan Africa
✔ Trusted partnerships with global research firms and NGOs
✔ Skilled, locally-based field teams trained in culturally sensitive engagement
✔ Proven ability to recruit healthcare professionals at scale
✔ Agile, efficient operations—even in low-access or high-barrier regions

Ready to Launch Your Next Study?

Whether you’re exploring your first provider survey in Africa or scaling up a multi-country healthcare research project, Field Scope International is ready to help you succeed.

Contact us today to start a conversation.