scholarly journals Social Media and Clinical Research in Dermatology

Author(s):  
Ryan Geist ◽  
Michelle Militello ◽  
J. Mark Albrecht ◽  
Colby L. Presley ◽  
Jaclyn B. Anderson ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janelle Applequist ◽  
Cristina Burroughs ◽  
Artemio Ramirez ◽  
Peter A. Merkel ◽  
Marc E. Rothenberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Participant recruitment for clinical research studies remains a significant challenge for researchers. Novel approaches to recruitment are necessary to ensure that populations are easier to reach. In the context of rare diseases, social media provides a unique opportunity for connecting with patient groups that have representatively lower diagnosis rates when compared with more common maladies. We describe the implementation of designing a patient-centered approach to message design for the purposes of recruiting patients for clinical research studies for rare disease populations. Methods: Using an iterative research approach, we analyzed our previous experience of using web-based direct-to-patient recruitment methods to compare these online strategies with traditional center of excellence recruitment strategies. After choosing six research studies for inclusion in the previous study, in-depth, online interviews ( n = 37) were conducted with patients represented in each disease category to develop and test recruitment message strategies for social media and a Web-based platform for patients to access study information and pre-screen. Finally, relationships were established with Patient Advocacy Groups representing each rare disease category to ensure further dissemination of recruitment materials via their own social media networks. Results: Guided by social marketing theory, we created and tested various recruitment message designs. Three key message concepts preferred by patients emerged: (1) infographic; (2) positive emotional messages; and (3) educational information for sharing. A base study website that was created and edited based on qualitative user-testing. This website includes the option for potential participants to pre-screen and determine their eligibility for the study. Conclusions: Study participants report wanting to be involved in the design and implementation of recruitment approaches for clinical research studies. The application of the aforementioned methods could aide in the evolution of clinical research practices for the recruitment of both rare and common diseases, where patient-centric approaches can help to create targeted messages designs that participants pre-test and support.


Author(s):  
Saliha Akhtar

Research has shown that clinical research continues to have difficulty recruiting participants. This problem is expected to increase as the number of clinical trials increases and as there continues to be more focus on complex diseases and treatments. Researchers have typically relied on traditional recruitment methods to recruit participants, which revolve around the physicians and their support staff having the primary role to locate and recruit these participants. However, with individuals using online platforms such as social media to retrieve information, this creates an opportunity for research site personnel to use it as a way to relay information on clinical trial opportunities. Studies that have used social media as a way to recruit participants are discussed. Furthermore, pros and cons of social media for recruitment, along with recommendations that future researchers should consider when deciding whether to implement this type of strategy in their clinical trials will be shared. In general, clinical trial recruitment strategies need to shift to an approach that is not only more targeted, but also has a larger reach. By evaluating the success of studies that have used social recruitment strategies so far, it is evident that future researchers can also achieve recruitment success through social media. Moreover, social media could be a promising new avenue for clinical trial recruitment that allows for a more positive experience for both investigative site personnel and potential participants.


Author(s):  
Luke Gelinas ◽  
Jennifer C. Kesselheim

Social media use has increased exponentially across all demographics. With social media’s widespread popularity comes an increased potential for research sponsors and investigators to use it as an effective tool for recruiting individuals into clinical research. Despite this, there has been relatively little attention paid to the general ethical issues implicated in social media recruitment and even less attention paid to the distinct ethical issues raised by using social media to recruit pediatric populations more specifically. This chapter examines these issues, providing an overview of the use of social media in clinical practice, an assessment of the general ethical issues associated with social media recruitment, and analysis of the potential risks and benefits of using social media to target adolescents for recruitment into clinical research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (02) ◽  
pp. 111-113
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Ho ◽  
Jon B. Cole ◽  
Lauren R. Klein ◽  
Travis D. Olives ◽  
Brian E. Driver ◽  
...  

We read with interest the recent editorial, “The Hennepin Ketamine Study,” by Dr. Samuel Stratton commenting on the research ethics, methodology, and the current public controversy surrounding this study.1 As researchers and investigators of this study, we strongly agree that prospective clinical research in the prehospital environment is necessary to advance the science of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and emergency medicine. We also agree that accomplishing this is challenging as the prehospital environment often encounters patient populations who cannot provide meaningful informed consent due to their emergent conditions. To ensure that fellow emergency medicine researchers understand the facts of our work so they may plan future studies, and to address some of the questions and concerns in Dr. Stratton’s editorial, the lay press, and in social media,2 we would like to call attention to some inaccuracies in Dr. Stratton’s editorial, and to the lay media stories on which it appears to be based.Ho JD, Cole JB, Klein LR, Olives TD, Driver BE, Moore JC, Nystrom PC, Arens AM, Simpson NS, Hick JL, Chavez RA, Lynch WL, Miner JR. The Hennepin Ketamine Study investigators’ reply. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(2):111–113


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. e144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Reuter ◽  
Francis Ukpolo ◽  
Edward Ward ◽  
Melissa L Wilson ◽  
Praveen Angyan

Author(s):  
Saliha Akhtar

Research has shown that clinical research continues to have difficulty recruiting participants. This problem is expected to increase as the number of clinical trials increases and as there continues to be more focus on complex diseases and treatments. Researchers have typically relied on traditional recruitment methods to recruit participants, which revolve around the physicians and their support staff having the primary role to locate and recruit these participants. However, with individuals using online platforms such as social media to retrieve information, this creates an opportunity for research site personnel to use it as a way to relay information on clinical trial opportunities. Studies that have used social media as a way to recruit participants are discussed. Furthermore, pros and cons of social media for recruitment, along with recommendations that future researchers should consider when deciding whether to implement this type of strategy in their clinical trials will be shared. In general, clinical trial recruitment strategies need to shift to an approach that is not only more targeted, but also has a larger reach. By evaluating the success of studies that have used social recruitment strategies so far, it is evident that future researchers can also achieve recruitment success through social media. Moreover, social media could be a promising new avenue for clinical trial recruitment that allows for a more positive experience for both investigative site personnel and potential participants.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Goldberg ◽  
Rochelle K. Rosen ◽  
Don S. Dizon ◽  
Kirsten J. Langdon ◽  
Natalie M. Davoodi ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED Social media integration into research has increased and 92% of American social media users state they would share their data with researchers. Yet, the potential of this data to transform health outcomes and the way clinical research is performed has been held back. The use of these technologies in research is dependent on investigators’ awareness of its potential and their ability to innovate within regulatory and institutional guidelines. The Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health has launched an initiative to address these challenges and provide a framework to expand social media use in clinical research.


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