Recruitment Materials and Strategy
Successful recruitment of participants for clinical research studies involves the development and implementation of a well-planned strategy. The recruitment strategy and tools utilized must be frequently assessed relative to established goals, with new strategies implemented as necessary. Listed below are resources to assist with your recruitment efforts.
Special thanks to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for generously sharing many of the resources in the recruitment and retention toolkits.
Volunteer for a Study
For more on planning and feasibility, timelines for recruitment accrual, budget, NCATS incentives and more, see our Recruitment Tools for more materials.
| Research Education | |
| What are Clinical Trials? | To explain clinical trials and ways to get involved in research |
| Clinical Trial Glossary | To define clinical trial and study terms in a lay-friendly manner |
| Six Facts About Clinical Research Participation | To highlight important aspects of clinical research participation |
| Research Engagement | |
| Recently Diagnosed with <Specific Disease>? You can help speed a cure. | To explain the unique role recently diagnosed individuals play in <specific> research |
| Genetics and <Specific> Disease: What’s the Connection? | To explain the role of genetics in <Specific> disease |
| Biomarkers: Finding a Test for <Specific> disease | To explain the importance of finding an objective measure of <specific> disease |
| Using Technology to Advance <Specific> Research | To describe the use of technology in research studies |
| <Specific> Research Needs Control Volunteers | To highlighting the purpose and need for control volunteers |
| Print Materials | |
| Flyer Template | To promote your study and encourage individuals to learn more about participation |
| Flyer Sample | To reference for content and style guidance when creating a study flyer |
| Brochure Template | To promote your study and encourage individuals to learn more about participation |
| Press Release Template | To announce the start of study recruitment in publications directed toward your target population |
| Guide to Creating Materials for Older Volunteers | To provide best practices for designing materials geared toward more senior individuals |
| Community Engagement | |
| Guide to Creating a Study Slide Deck | To provide best practices for creating a slide deck about your study |
| Study Slide Deck Template | To present your study to potential volunteers at events |
| Guide to Organizing a Recruitment/Retention Webinar | To provide instructions and best practices for organizing a webinar for potential volunteers or study participants |
| Webinar Slide Deck Template | To provide instructions and best practices for organizing a webinar for potential volunteers or study participants |
| Physician Referral Network | |
| Physician Referral Letter/Email Template | To engage physicians about patient referrals to a study |
| Study Pocket Card Template | To reference eligibility criteria when pre-screening patients |
| Digital Channels | |
| Guide to Creating a Study Website | To provide instructions and best practices for designing a lay-friendly study website |
| Study Website Sample | To reference for content and style tips when creating a study website |
| Guide to Digital Marketing for Recruitment | To provide best practices for using digital marketing to recruit study participants |
| Social Media Content Template | To create Facebook and Twitter posts to engage your study population online |
| Site Infrastructure | |
| Study Staff Talking Points Template | To create centralized messaging and lay-friendly language to describe a study |
| Study Staff Talking Points Sample | To reference for content and style guidance when creating study staff talking points |
| Thank You Letter/Email to Prospective Participant Template | To thank and reengage an individual who is considering participation |
| Study Enrollment Survey | To gauge how recently enrolled participants feel about the study and strengthen your recruitment process |
| Study Procedures | |
| Calendar of Activities Template | To outline what to expect at each study visit |
| Calendar of Activities Sample | To reference for content and style guidance when creating a calendar of activities |
| Lumbar Puncture – Frequently Asked Questions | To explain the lumbar puncture procedure and address potential concerns |
| MRI – Frequently Asked Questions | To describe what to expect during a MRI and address potential concerns |
| DaTscan – Frequently Asked Questions | To describe what to expect during a DaTscan and address potential concerns |
Retention Tools
| Facilitate Participation | |
| Study Participant Introduction Letter/Email Template | To inform study participants about the resources available to them throughout the study |
| Calendar of Activities Template | To explain what to expect at each study visit |
| Calendar of Activities Sample | To reference for content and style guidance when creating a calendar of activities |
| Appointment Card Template | To remind participants of their next study visit |
| Trial Team Bio Sheet Template | To familiarize participants with the study team |
| Study Wallet Card Template | To convey study drug information to healthcare providers in case of medical emergency |
| Physician Notification Letter Template | To inform a physician about their patient's participation in a study |
| Share Study Results | |
| Study Results to Site Staff Letter/Email Template | To share study results with site staff including instructions on how to inform participants |
| Study Results to Participants Letter/Email Template | To share study results with participants |
| Study Results to Referring Physicians Letter/Email Template | To share study results with a referring physician |
| Study Participant Newsletter Template | To communicate study progress and thank participants for their time and commitment |
| Site Staff Newsletter Template | To communicate study progress, share reminders, acknowledge and appreciate site staff for their time and effort |
| Guide to Organizing a Recruitment/Retention Webinar | To provide instructions and best practices for organizing a webinar for study participants |
| Webinar Slide Deck Template | To share study progress/milestones with participants on a webinar |
| Guide to Creating a Study Website | To provide instructions and best practices for designing a lay- friendly study website |
| Study Website Sample | To reference for content and style tips when creating a study website |
Successful recruitment of participants for clinical research studies involves the development and implementation of a well-planned strategy. The recruitment strategy and tools utilized must be frequently assessed relative to established goals, with new strategies implemented as necessary. Listed below are resources to assist with your recruitment efforts.
Special thanks to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for generously sharing many of the resources in the recruitment and retention toolkits.| Research Education | |
| What are Clinical Trials? | To explain clinical trials and ways to get involved in research |
| Clinical Trial Glossary | To define clinical trial and study terms in a lay-friendly manner |
| Six Facts About Clinical Research Participation | To highlight important aspects of clinical research participation |
| Research Engagement | |
| Recently Diagnosed with <Specific Disease>? You can help speed a cure. | To explain the unique role recently diagnosed individuals play in <specific> research |
| Genetics and <Specific> Disease: What’s the Connection? | To explain the role of genetics in <Specific> disease |
| Biomarkers: Finding a Test for <Specific> disease | To explain the importance of finding an objective measure of <specific> disease |
| Using Technology to Advance <Specific> Research | To describe the use of technology in research studies |
| <Specific> Research Needs Control Volunteers | To highlighting the purpose and need for control volunteers |
| Print Materials | |
| Flyer Template | To promote your study and encourage individuals to learn more about participation |
| Flyer Sample | To reference for content and style guidance when creating a study flyer |
| Brochure Template | To promote your study and encourage individuals to learn more about participation |
| Press Release Template | To announce the start of study recruitment in publications directed toward your target population |
| Guide to Creating Materials for Older Volunteers | To provide best practices for designing materials geared toward more senior individuals |