Research

CCTS Offers Enhanced Services, Informatics Resources for Participant Recruitment

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2016) – The UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) aims to accelerate the process of discoveries by supporting a broad range of innovative research to improve human health. Health research is integral to UK’s role as the state’s flagship academic medical center, and such research depends on the participation of individuals, both healthy and with medical conditions. Engaging with potential volunteers, however, can be so difficult that studies sometimes end before important questions are answered.

At a Clinical Research Update Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. in CTW 014, members of the CCTS participant recruitment team will explain enhanced participant recruitment services and resources now available to investigators and their research teams.  Lunch will be served beginning at noon and the presentation will begin at 12:30 pm and CEs are available. Please RSVP to ccts@uky.edu. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

During the presentation, Jeffery Talbert, PhD, co-director of theCCTS biomedical informatics core and director of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, will demonstrate new biomedical informatics resources such as i2b2 and TriNetX that can inform and support participant recruitment.

Roxane Poskin, participant recruitment and marketing manager, will also provide an update about the continuum of recruitment services available through the CCTS, including initial consultations, increased marketing opportunities through UK Public Relations and UK HealthCare Marketing, interactive online study flyers, health registries, and ResearchMatch, a national registry that connects volunteers and researchers. Poskin’s innovative use of ResearchMatch at UK resulted in her receiving the “Match Maestro” award in 2015.

Over the past year, the CCTS has engaged with investigators and stakeholders across campus to better understand recruitment challenges and opportunities and facilitate more effective recruitment efforts. A survey to gauge satisfaction with CCTS recruitment services indicated that recruitment is inhibited by lack of awareness and/or negative perceptions of research, as well as difficulty accessing patients and engaging physicians. Following the survey, the CCTS held the first annual Recruitment Summit in June 2015 and established a quarterly Recruitment Workgroup consisting of 19 members representing multiple colleges.

To learn more about CCTS participant recruitment services or provide feedback about recruitment needs and opportunities, please join the CRU today, visit the CCTS website, or contact Roxane Poskin, participant recruitment and marketing manager, at roxane.poskin@uky.edu or 257-7856.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mallory Powell, mallory.powell@uky.edu