Streamlining Participant Recruitment for TBI and PTSD Research Studies.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-2017

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Recruitment of participants for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) studies is a major challenge, causing delays in study timelines and even study failures. To address this challenge, the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) Recruitment Core developed procedures for identification, screening, and referral of participants from screening studies to a broad range of TBI and PTSD studies.

METHODS: Participants were recruited from civilian hospitals, Military Treatment Facilities, and through various events and presentations. Enrolled participants were referred to other studies during initial enrollment, follow-up visits, or ad hoc as new CNRM studies became active. A centralized online database was used to streamline the eligibility and referral process.

RESULTS: As of October 25, 2016, 1,040 enrolled participants from the two screening studies have been assessed for eligibility for active CNRM studies. Referrals have led to 197 total enrollments into other CNRM studies. Common reasons for exclusion from studies included age, date of injury, injury severity, contraindication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging, state of residence, and military status.

CONCLUSION: Collaborative work with multiple disciplines and institutions, and the use of diverse media, was critical to augmenting participant enrollment, and significantly diversified the demographics of the participant population. Streamlining the referral process helps studies meet their timelines and target enrollment.

Volume

182

Issue

S1

First Page

124

Last Page

127

ISSN

1930-613X

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

28291463

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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