Table 8 List of potential digital tools to support recruitment and retention tasks
Task | Target | Possible tools |
|---|---|---|
Publicise a trial | Recruiters (site and CTU trial staff) | Social media, email campaign |
Identify possible patients for a trial offline | Recruiters (site staff only) | Database screening (e.g. CPRD) Trial eligibility checklist on trial website |
Identify patients for trial during consultation | Recruiters (site staff only) | Automated flag based on EPR |
Ensure patient really was eligible for trial when recruited | Recruiter (site staff only) | EPR database check on entry |
Incentivise recruiters | Recruiters (site and CTU trial staff) | Automated league table, lottery for recruiters Simplified trial recruitment workflow Online patient information/video, etc. |
Raise public awareness about trials in general | Public / patients | Social media, email campaigns |
Help patients find a specific trial | Public / patients | clinicaltrials.gov, trial website; Google ads or pop up on disease website |
Improve public understanding of a specific trial | Patients | Trial website eConsent video, animated patient information leaflet Web chat with trial nurse App (software) providing tailored information for patient |