Clinical Research recruitment and you!

Authors

• C Alvarez-Mells
• J Bartholomew
• D Dominguez

Abstract

Clinical research is vital to the NIH mission of enhancing human health, lengthening life, and reducing the burdens of illness and disability. As research opens new doors to finding preventions, treatments, or cures for disease and disability, we need greater numbers of clinical trial volunteers who are willing to help us find the answers. NIH data indicate that 85 percent of trials do not finish on time due to low patient participation, and 30 percent of trial sites fail to enroll even a single patient. One of the major barriers to recruitment of participants is their lack of awareness about clinical trials. In addition, many physicians and other health care providers are not aware of where to find clinical trials for their patients and are unaware of study opportunities. The NIH plays a critical role in educating the public and created a trans-NIH Clinical Research Awareness (CRA) Working Group to promote increased public awareness and participation in agency-sponsored clinical research. The cornerstone of the NIH effort is a public website - NIH Clinical Research Trials and You - designed to provide a reliable, accessible source of information for increasing public awareness about research volunteer opportunities. NIH Clinical Research Trials and You also collaborates with ResearchMatch.org – a free and secure online registry developed by major academic institutions across the country.

Scientific Focus Area: Research Support Services

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021