The 5Ts Recommendations page has been updated to include two new population‑focused filters: Veterans and Rural Communities. Available under the existing “Person” filter, these additions allow investigators and research staff to quickly identify recommendations that are especially salient for these groups. Veterans and individuals living in rural communities are often underrepresented in research studies, making tools that support more inclusive study design particularly important.
How Were the Filters Developed?
The new filters were developed as part of an ongoing VA‑funded initiative focused on improving the inclusion of older, rural Veterans in research. As part of this work, we conducted separate listening sessions with Veterans, research investigators, and research staff. Participants consistently identified many existing 5Ts recommendations as relevant strategies for improving recruitment and retention of older, rural Veterans. These insights directly informed the creation of the new filters.
Examples of Relevant 5Ts Recommendations
Several existing 5Ts recommendations align closely with the needs identified during these listening sessions, including:
- “Identify study locations that are convenient for participants.”
Participants highlighted transportation and travel distance as key barriers, particularly for those living in rural areas. - “Build culturally competent and inclusive research teams that include members of the target community.”
Including Veterans on research teams can help investigators anticipate and address population‑specific needs and concerns.
What’s Next?
In the coming weeks, we will be adding new 5Ts recommendations that directly address barriers to research participation faced by older adults from Veteran and rural communities. These updates reflect our continued commitment to making the 5Ts Framework more inclusive, practical, and responsive to real‑world research challenges.