Choose study sites carefully

Evaluate the recruitment histories of potential sites

  • In some cases, sites are selected from a pool of potentials. This is especially true for earlier phase (phase I or II trials) clinical trials. In recruitment, a site’s past performance can predict future success.

Determine the available resources of potential sites (e.g., staffing or facilities)

  • Ask about each site’s capacity to recruit and carry out the trial. For example, you may need to discuss workspace, committed staffing, and lab and pharmacy needs. Ask the sites what study needs would cause difficulties at their site and determine if those can be overcome.

Look at the potential sites’ competing trials

  • Ask prospective sites about existing trials that may compete with your trial for participants and resources, and how they propose to handle the situation.

Look at the sites’ interest level in the trial—both scientific interest and their thoughts on feasibility

  • Meaningful research generates the enthusiasm and commitment among staff that helps recruitment. For example, are researchers at the site excited about the trial or are they considering opening the trial for other reasons?

Literature and Tools (43)

Image Representing Resource Type (Journal Article)
A randomized recruitment intervention trial in Parkinson's disease to increase participant diversity: early stopping for lack of efficacy.
Posted: Feb 22, 2013.
Tilley BC,Mainous AG 3rd,Elm JJ,Pickelsimer E,Soderstrom LH,Ford ME,Diaz VA,Siminoff LA,Burau K,Smith DW. Clin Trials. 2012 Apr. 9. 2. 188-97.
KEYWORDS: Knowledge/Attitudes/Beliefs, Logistics/Transportation, Underserved, Level of Clinical Trials Knowledge or Awareness, Staff Experience Level, Physician Champions, Provider-Patient Relationship, Attitudes, Minority Groups, Verbal Communications, Brochure or Flyer, Non-Cancer
Image Representing Resource Type (Journal Article)
Ethical and Scientific Implications of the Globalization of Clinical Research.
Posted: Feb 13, 2013.
Glickman SW,McHutchison JG,Peterson ED,Cairns CB,Harrington RA,Califf RM,Schulman KA. N Engl J Med. 2009 Feb 19. 360. 8. 816-23.
KEYWORDS: Remuneration, Level of Clinical Trials Knowledge or Awareness, Incentives, Staff Experience Level, International, Institutional Issues, Regulatory Issues, Financial Incentives, Cancer
Image Representing Resource Type (Journal Article)
National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene trial: Advancing the science of recruitment and breast cancer risk assessment in minority communities.
Posted: Feb 13, 2013.
McCaskill-Stevens W,Wilson JW,Cook ED,Edwards CL,Gibson RV,McElwain DL,Figueroa-Moseley CD,Paskett ED,Roberson NL,Wickerham DL,Wolmark N. Clin Trials. 2013 Jan 18. [Epub ahead of print]
KEYWORDS: Language or Cultural Barriers, Staff Experience Level, Physician Champions, Women, Minority Groups, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latino, Verbal Communications, Radio, TV, Web, Print Media, Brochure or Flyer, Letter, Cancer, Prevention
Image Representing Resource Type (Journal Review Article)
What leads Indians to participate in clinical trials? A meta-analysis of qualitative studies.
Posted: Nov 01, 2012.
Shah JY,Phadtare A,Rajgor D,Vaghasia M,Pradhan S,Zelko H,Pietrobon R. PLoS ONE. 2010 May. 5. 5. e10730.
KEYWORDS: Knowledge/Attitudes/Beliefs, Language or Cultural Barriers, Logistics/Transportation, Underserved, Non-English Speaking, Remuneration, Provider-Patient Relationship, International, Study Burden, Consent, Asian, Verbal Communications, Radio, TV, Web, Print Media, Non-Cancer, Cancer
Image Representing Resource Type (Journal Article)
Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of pragmatic clinical trials in older adults in the United States.
Posted: Sep 04, 2012.
Saag KG,Mohr PE,Esmail L,Mudano AS,Wright N,Beukelman T,Curtis JR,Cutter G,Delzell E,Gary LC,Harrington TM,Karkare S,Kilgore ML,Lewis CE,Moloney R,Oliveira A,Singh JA,Warriner A,Zhang J,Berger M,Cummings SR,Pace W,Solomon DH,Wallace R,Tunis SR. Contemp Clin Trials. 2012 Jul 05. [Epub ahead of print]
KEYWORDS: Institutional Issues, Older Adults, Web

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