The Analysis of Current Recruitment Methods: Measuring the Potential of Social Media in Clinical Research Trials

Clinical research has an important role as the intermediate step before an investigational drug or procedure is approved for distribution to the public. Before an investigational drug is approved, researchers must prove there is a benefit to the public by conducting an ethical clinical research trial. This process relies on recruiting the study population that is representative of the general population. If too few individuals participate, this could skew the data and prevent the eventual approval of an investigational drug or procedure. Recruiting study participants for certain populations has become increasingly difficult, which is why this practicum report explores the communication habits of the population around Baylor All Saints Medical Center via survey. The results of this survey will help Baylor Research Institute in Fort Worth, Texas better address clinical trial recruitment by possibly implementing social media into their current recruitment practices.