• 2010 March
• 2010 February
• 2010 January
• 2009 December
• 2009 November

• See how we have strategically helped other clinical trials. Case Studies

• Follow Us

  

• Request a Proposal

Using the Internet to Leverage Study Enrollment

Posted Jan 10, 2010 in

A recent conversation with a member of a client's proposal evaluation team brought to light an issue involving the use of web advertising and social media to support a patient enrollment program.  In the client's words they had "tried using web advertising in the past and received no attributable results”.  This was no surprise to hear since these words have been uttered on numerous occasions in meetings with current and potential sponsors.

The Internet can be a great source of patient inquiries for clinical studies when the study population or caregiver population for the indication are heavy web users and as part of an integrated model to develop inquiries.  As with all strategies for patient enrollment, the use of an Internet campaign is only a single tool in the complete enrollment strategy. 

The true advantages of an Internet strategy as part of an enrollment campaign are:

1. Ability to narrowly target specific populations
2. Ability to provide a level results-driven solutions for enrollment
3. Ability to engage the study population with interesting and interactive content
4. Communicating with patients and caregivers in their preferred media

Here are a few tips for the use of the Internet for any protocol:

1. Ensure patient or caregiver population is searching the web for treatment options (is the internet an appropriate tool).
2. Develop, at minimum, a study branded web site hosting information about the study, the study locations and multiple forms of screening and contact (give the patient or caregiver options)
3. If using a keyword search tool such as Google, Yahoo! or Bing, develop the study website in search engine optimized platform (make the keyword searches work for the study)
4. Use the study website as the information hub for all web tactics
5. Use more than one internet search engine to drive inquiries to the sites
6. Social media usage (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) should drive interest to your study website
7. Integrate several appropriate media to ensure coverage of the likely study population
8. Use analytical data to improve operational efficiencies within the campaign (which keywords are most efficient, which sites are driving the most inquiries)
9. Make all site related and traditional advertising point to the study website

The Internet can be a viable source of patient inquiries for many studies.  Some platforms require development of SOPs to insure IRB/EC compliance and some tactics may be more appropriate based upon the motivation of the patients being sought for the study.

We have attempted to provide some of the basic ideas for Internet advertising but the protocol will determine the requirements and macro-tools that might be implemented.  For more specific information about Internet advertising for your protocol, please contact ICTS vice president of business development, Michael Ohrwashel.