Principles for the production and dissemination of recruitment material for three clinical trials of an online intervention

AbstractSome health research studies recruit participants through electronic mechanisms such as the placement of messages on social media platforms. This raises questions for ethics committee oversight, since effective social media campaigns might involve the production and dissemination of hundreds of contemporaneous messages. For the Narrative Experiences Online (NEON) study, we have developed nine principles to control the production and dissemination of promotional material. These have been approved by an ethics committee and enable the audit of our recruitment work. We propose that the drafting for approval of recruitment principles by health research studies may, in many cases, strike an appropriate balance between enabling ethical oversight of online recruitment work and the potential burden of message review.

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A Scoping Review of Social Media Sites as a Tool for Clinical Trial Recruitment and Retention (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.33690 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jarett Anderson ◽

Austin Hamp ◽

Michelle Militello ◽

Ryan Geist ◽

Jaclyn Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Social Media ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

The United States ◽

User Engagement ◽

Trial Recruitment ◽

Recruitment And Retention ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Clinical Trial Recruitment ◽

Media Applications

BACKGROUND Clinical trials are an essential process in discovering new biomedical or behavioral outcomes in disease processes. There are several steps involved in creating a clinical trial. One step, patient recruitment, is often touted as the largest contributor to trial delays, which has financial, scientific, and ethical ramifications. Approximately 1.2 billion dollars in the United States is spent each year on this process and as many as 86% of clinical trials do not meet recruitment targets within their perspective timeframes, and 19% of trials had to be terminated early due to insufficient recruitment and/or patient retention1. Social media is a viable, inexpensive tool that can be utilized to improve both recruitment and retention rates2. To date, platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and others have been widely utilized in recruitment for clinical trials, communication among stakeholders, and educational tools. Social media also has the advantage of reaching populations that otherwise would be more difficult to reach3. A list of these platforms and each of their distinct advantages for clinical trial recruitment can be found in Table 1. This review aims to highlight the unique characteristics of several social media platforms and their advantageous properties in increasing recruitment and retention during clinical trials. OBJECTIVE This narrative review analyzes the current use of several social media sites in clinical trial recruitment and retention. It also offers insight concerning potential uses of these sites that are not currently utilized. METHODS A literature search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate to access and review relevant articles published in peer-reviewed journals concerning social media and its use in clinical trials. Two independent researchers with education and experience in dermatology screened publications to select studies featuring quantitative results concerning social media and clinical trial recruitment. RESULTS 13 social media applications were studied and reviewed. 7 of these social media sites or applications have currently been studied, and their use in complementing traditional recruiting methods such as advertisements in newspapers, health fairs, and direct mailing, has been analyzed and reported. 6 additional social media applications have further been studied, and their potential use within clinical trial research has been additionally analyzed. CONCLUSIONS A large number and variety of social media platforms exist to aid in the recruitment and retention process for clinical trials, many of which can utilize niche features and reach a targeted demographic. Although recruitment remains a barrier for researchers involved in clinical trials, the potential to recruit through social media may be underutilized. Many avenues that exist to improve recruitment have not been leveraged. For example, partnering to create collaborative videos with social media influencers on platforms such as Instagram and Youtube may help to broaden the audience and increase clinical trial enrollments. Creating biomedical educational profiles or channels that discuss details of clinical trials with descriptions of these trials could also be employed to increase the scope of the audience. Reddit, Smart Patients, and Patients Like Me can target difficult-to-reach patient populations due to their use of subgroups, allowing researchers to reach their target audience. Additionally, many of these platforms provide user engagement features that allow users to respond directly to videos or posts and could be used to encourage enrollment by allowing users to react directly to clinical trial advertisements.

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Utilizing the Dimensions of Religion to Analyze Social Media Campaigns

Promoting Interdisciplinarity in Knowledge Generation and Problem Solving - Advances in Knowledge Acquisition, Transfer, and Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-3878-3.ch013 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 202-220

Author(s):

Iman Mohamed Zahra

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Public Relations ◽

Major Conclusion ◽

Campaign Strategies ◽

Media Campaigns ◽

The Social ◽

Campaign Messages ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Media Platform ◽

Message Strategies

The objective of the current chapter is to analyze one of the most recent and successful social media campaigns namely #NotInMyName from the viewpoint of the seven dimensions of religion utilized by Van Esch and others as the main pillar of social marketing and media campaigns. Further #NotInMyName Public Relations (PR) campaign is scrutinized for PR strategies and message strategies utilized in formulating the campaign messages. To achieve that end, a qualitative analysis was implemented on three levels relating to each video and vine of the study sample: first locating the Dimensions of Religion (DOR taxonomy(ies) used in this video or vine, then emanating on the PR campaign strategies implemented in the video or vine and finally searching for the message strategies utilized in the video or vine. The major conclusion of this study was that although campaigns launched via social media lack the scientific known steps utilized to plan and launch media campaigns traditionally, those campaigns derive from the social media platform exacerbating an unprecedented power to stir political and social movements especially, regarding controversial and stagnant matters. Posts, comments and shares on different social media platforms go viral, stir discussions, and trigger public opinion both virtually and in reality. Dimensions of Religion taxonomies proved reliability as a viable platform stemming from another discipline to plan messages and to analyze campaigns based on the different aspects the model would provide. Ranging from simple aspects to more complicated aspects, Dimensions of Religion model must be subjected to further research to determine its feasibility to be applied to different campaigning structures and objectives.

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2520

Journal of Clinical and Translational Science ◽

10.1017/cts.2017.288 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

pp. 82-82

Author(s):

Meghan Spiroff ◽

Lisa Connally ◽

Anita Johnson ◽

Aalap Doshi ◽

Patricia Piechowski

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Best Practices ◽

Health Research ◽

Participant Recruitment ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Study Population ◽

Gender And Age Differences ◽

The University ◽

Racial Ethnic ◽

Research Studies

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Across the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Consortium, participant recruitment into clinical trials is essential to advance science. Without proper participant recruitment, clinical trials do not result in gains in scientific knowledge, wastes time, funds, and other resources (Mahon et al., 2015). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Participant recruitment programs across the consortium are inconsistent in staffing, program services, and program goals. The participant recruitment program at the University of Michigan’s (U-M) Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) provides expertise, tools, and resources to facilitate participant recruitment in clinical and health research studies. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We will explain our program infrastructure, staffing, services, and discuss how we maintain an engaged registry with over 27,000 participants interested in research studies at U-M. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Proper recruitment into clinical trials results in findings that are relevant for genetic, cultural, linguistic, racial/ethnic, gender, and age differences (Cottler et al., 2013). We hope to share our best practices that aid in the development and success of participant recruitment across the CTSA Consortium.

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RECRUITING FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN AN ONLINE INTERVENTION

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2199 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S592-S592

Author(s):

Glenna Brewster ◽

Fayron Epps ◽

Rachel Nash ◽

Patricia Griffiths ◽

Janice Phillips ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Online Intervention ◽

Recruitment Strategies ◽

Community Partnership ◽

Research Centers ◽

Disease Research ◽

Successful Recruitment ◽

Handshake Protocol ◽

Research Studies

Abstract Responsibilities of caregiving for persons living with dementia make it challenging to participate in in-person research studies. Caregivers may be more willing to participate in studies that are online. This presentation will highlight recruitment strategies of a 4-site telehealth caregiver intervention for caregivers of persons living with dementia. Thus far, we have recruited 596 participants over the period of 2 years: 76, 189, 164 and 167 from each of the sites, respectively. Community partnership strategies such as presentations at churches and events organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research centers, using a handshake protocol, and using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have all been effective at recruiting participants. Ongoing communication among the staff at different sites is also an important aspect of successful recruitment. These strategies have enabled recruitment to continue at a consistent rate and enabled the maintenance of relationships within the community.

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A retrospective analysis of NIH-funded digital health research using social media platforms

Digital Health ◽

10.1177/2055207619901085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 205520761990108 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Camille Nebeker ◽

Sarah E. Dunseath ◽

Rubi Linares-Orozco

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Health Research ◽

Digital Health ◽

Social Media Platforms

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Setting up clinical research studies in the National Health Service in England

Journal of Clinical Urology ◽

10.1177/2051415816657764 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 145-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica Whitburn ◽

Surjeet Singh ◽

Prasanna Sooriakumaran

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

National Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Research And Development ◽

Clinical Research ◽

National Health ◽

Health Research ◽

Application Process ◽

Regulatory Bodies ◽

Research Studies

Starting and conducting clinical trials in England can be a complicated and time-consuming process. Before your study can begin it is necessary to gain approval from the appropriate regulatory bodies. Prior to March 2016, studies required National Health Service (NHS) permission (also referred to as Research and Development (R&D) approval) obtained via the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Coordinated System for gaining NHS Permission (CSP). Since March 2016, a new streamlined system has been introduced with the aim of making it easier to gain regulatory approvals. Now studies must go through the process of Health Research Authority (HRA) approval. In this article we review the process of gaining HRA approval in England. The article is aimed at junior researchers to help them understand the application process, and to give tips on how to succeed in gaining approval.

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The Effectiveness Of Social Media (Facebook) Compared With More Traditional Advertising Methods for Recruiting Eligible Participants To Health Research Studies: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/resprot.5747 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. e161 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Mai Frandsen ◽

Megan Thow ◽

Stuart G Ferguson

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Social Media ◽

Health Research ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Research Studies

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Youth Study Recruitment Using Paid Advertising on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14080 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kelsey Lynett Ford ◽

Tashuna Albritton ◽

Tara A Dunn ◽

Kacy Crawford ◽

Jessica Neuwirth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Health Research ◽

Conversion Rate ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Study Recruitment ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Youth Study

BACKGROUND The use of paid social media advertising for targeted study recruitment is an effective strategy in health research and evaluation, specifically to reach diverse youth participants. Although the literature adequately describes the utility of Facebook in recruitment, limited information exists for social media platforms that are more popular with youth, specifically Instagram and Snapchat. OBJECTIVE This paper outlines a paid advertising approach using Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook to evaluate a statewide youth marijuana prevention campaign. The objective of this study was to compare recruitment metrics across Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook for two surveys documenting youth knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to retail marijuana in Colorado post legalization. In addition, the study assessed the feasibility of using Instagram and Snapchat as effective additions to Facebook for youth study recruitment. METHODS A social media recruitment strategy was used to conduct two cross-sectional surveys of youth, aged 13 to 20 years, in Colorado. Geographically targeted ads across 3 social media platforms encouraged the completion of a Web-based self-administered survey. Ad Words and Snap Ads were used to deploy and manage advertising campaigns, including ad design, placement, and analysis. Ad costs and recruitment metrics (ie, impressions, link clicks, and conversion rates) were calculated across the three social media platforms. RESULTS Over two 1-month periods, 763,613 youth were reached (ie, impressions), 6089 of them clicked survey links (ie, clicks), and 828 eligible youth completed surveys about knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to retail marijuana. Instagram converted 36.13% (803/2222) of impressions to clicks (ie, conversion rate) in the first survey and 0.87% (864/98982) in the second survey. Snapchat generated the most impressions and link clicks, but it did so with the lowest conversion rate for both surveys, with a 1.40% (1600/114,200) conversion rate in the first survey and a 0.36% (1818/504700) conversion rate in the second survey. Facebook maintained a consistent conversion rate of roughly 2% across both surveys, despite reductions in budget for the second survey. The cost-per-click ranged between US $0.25 and $0.37 across the three platforms, with Snapchat as both the most cost-effective platform in the first survey and the most expensive platform in the second survey. CONCLUSIONS Recruitment and enrollment outcomes indicate the use of Instagram and Snapchat, in addition to Facebook, may be a modern, useful, and cost-effective approach to reach youth with surveys on sensitive health topics. As the use of Facebook declines among youth, the use of more popular social media platforms can augment study recruitment for health research and evaluation efforts.

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Interaction and Transformation on Social Media: The Case of Twitter Campaigns

Social Media + Society ◽

10.1177/2056305117750721 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 205630511775072 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

William Housley ◽

Helena Webb ◽

Meredydd Williams ◽

Rob Procter ◽

Adam Edwards ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Modern Society ◽

Media Analysis ◽

Social Media Analysis ◽

Media Campaigns ◽

The Public ◽

The Social ◽

Wide Range ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Insight Into

The increasing popularity of social media platforms creates new digital social networks in which individuals can interact and share information, news, and opinion. The use of these technologies appears to have the capacity to transform current social configurations and relations, not least within the public and civic spheres. Within the social sciences, much emphasis has been placed on conceptualizing social media’s role in modern society and the interrelationships between online and offline actors and events. In contrast, little attention has been paid to exploring user practices on social media and how individual posts respond to each other. To demonstrate the value of an interactional approach toward social media analysis, we performed a detailed analysis of Twitter-based online campaigns. After categorizing social media posts based on action(s), we developed a typology of user exchanges. We found these social media campaigns to be highly heterogeneous in content, with a wide range of actions performed and substantial numbers of tweets not engaged with the substance of the campaign. We argue that this interactional approach can form the basis for further work conceptualizing the broader impact of activist campaigns and the treatment of social media as “data” more generally. In this way, analytic focus on interactional practices on social media can provide empirical insight into the micro-transformational characteristics within “campaign communication.”

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