Best Practices in Recruiting Clinical Trial Volunteers |
| Date Added: March 13, 2010 07:55:05 AM |
| Author: Dot Crane |
| Category: Health: Pharmacy |
| Many clinical research studies and research trials cannot accomplish their goals without human volunteers to participate. According to the University of Kentucky, 50,000 clinical studies happen in the United States every year. Of these studies, approximately 90 percent are delayed because researchers cannot find enough participants. Often, those in charge of the clinical trials can run into a number of problems, including ethical issues, when trying to organize these studies. Participants may be difficult to find and clinical research study organizers may be unsure what information to include in advertisements. To combat these problems, we have assembled a guide of good clinical practices for those trying to recruit volunteers for human trials. Before the recruiting process can begin, those who will be speaking with the potential subjects need to understand what the clinical study entails and the type of person needed for the study. The recruiter should also maintain a good relationship with people who are capable of providing information about potential patients. Connecting with administrators of health care systems and similar organizations will make the recruiter’s job a little easier. Recruiters also need to understand that people have a number of different motivations for joining research studies. Since most participants will not join the study for the same reason, recruiters need to have a thorough understanding of the medical trial process. They also need to understand that the way the trial is presented to the potential participant will likely influence whether that person will join the research study. Recruiters need to keep the study in easily understood terms to ensure the potential volunteer fully comprehends the process and possible risk factors. Never make someone feel as if they cannot ask questions or as if they do not understand what will happen during the trial. The recruitment strategy must be effective, but never coercive. After the recruiter is familiar with the clinical research trials which are in need of volunteers, he or she can employ a number of ways to find volunteers. The recruiter can use patient databases, newspaper or radio ads, public service announcements, flyers, posters and personal recruitment to name just a few. Remember, all the recruitment information and forms must be provided to an independent IRB for review. These ads can include a number of different pieces of information about the trial. They must state that the program of study is related to research and must provide contact information where the potential volunteer can gather more information. The study’s purpose can be listed, but there can be no claims of safety, efficacy or superiority. The ad can list possible benefits of the study, but – again – it cannot use coercive language. It can mention information about paid clinical trials, but cannot include the amount a volunteer will receive. The ad may summarize the criteria that will be used to determine eligibility, the time or other commitments required and the location where the research will take place. The Internet is a great way to find medical trial volunteers. It is a less expensive way to recruit when compared to television, radio or print advertising and it has the potential to reach more people. The Internet can also be used to help educate patients about the process and assist them in making an informed decision about their participation. Recruiters must have all their online communication with potential subjects approved by an independent review board to ensure patient confidentiality. Recruiters can use a patient’s primary care provider to present medical research trials, but there are ethical principles and possible missteps that can be associated with using this method. Recruiters must ensure the doctor does not present the study as therapeutic . Instead, it needs to be clear the care is research-related and may not provide clinical benefit. However in many cases patients gain benefit from the knowledge that they are contributing to the advancement of medical care for all. Dot Crane is the author of this article on Clinical Research. Find more information about Clinical Research Studies here. |
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