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High‐quality research trials are necessary to provide evidence for the effective management of mental health difficulties, but successful recruitment can be challenging.

This qualitative study examines the perceived barriers and facilitators to referring mental health service users to research trials. Seven care coordinators (n = 7) who facilitated the recruitment of participants to a cognitive behaviour therapy – informed psychosis intervention trial were interviewed.

Demographic information was collected by questionnaire and a semi‐structured guide was used to explore barriers and facilitators to referring to a partially randomized participant preference trial. Qualitative data were thematically analysed.

Four key themes, each with a number of sub‐themes, were identified: (1) engage the care coordinator in the recruitment process, (2) barriers to referring to research studies, (3 …