The success of a study often hinges on robust and efficient recruitment. Without adequate participants, a study can fail to provide meaningful results or even have to be abandoned, wasting time, resources, and potential benefits to scientific knowledge or patient health. Thankfully, we’ve identified several strategies based on our experience that can optimize your recruitment process.
Firstly, developing a clear, user-friendly landing page for your study is pivotal. This acts as the digital ‘front door’ of your research and should be designed to effortlessly guide potential participant families through the sign-up process. We find that participants are less likely to enroll when first directed to a survey or RedCap page. By simplifying the user journey, you increase the likelihood of conversions from visitors to registered participants.
Secondly, consider seeking permission to send text messages to patients prior to the screening stage. Our experience has shown that participants are 2–3X more responsive to text messaging than phone calls. The immediacy and convenience of text messaging can help to keep potential participants engaged and connected to the study process.
Lastly, don’t forget the importance of tracking your recruitment methods and their associated costs. Understanding your cost per participant is key. This data can guide budgeting for future projects (whether it be a K01 or a global, industry-sponsored study) and allow you to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation in ongoing studies.
In conclusion, the journey of participant recruitment is indeed a challenging one, but it isn’t impossible to navigate. By focusing on creating a user-friendly digital platform, optimizing communication strategies, and keeping a close eye on your metrics, you can improve your recruitment rates. As researchers, we must continually adapt and learn, not only within our studies but also in the methods we use to recruit and engage our valuable participants. Effective recruitment strategies can be the difference between a study’s success or failure, so it’s worth investing the time and resources to get it right. Let us embrace these challenges as opportunities to grow and improve our research endeavors.
