Research recruitment through the patient portal: perspectives of community focus groups in Seattle and Atlanta.

Objective: Research recruitment through patient portals (ie, patient-facing, web-based clinical interfaces) has the potential to be effective, efficient, and inclusive, but best practices remain undefined. We sought to better understand how patients view this recruitment approach.

Materials And Methods: We conducted 6 focus groups in Atlanta, GA and Seattle, WA with members of patient advisory committees and the general public.

Experimenting with modifications to consent forms in comparative effectiveness research: understanding the impact of language about financial implications and key information.

Background: Informed consent forms are intended to facilitate research enrollment decisions. However, the technical language in institutional templates can be unfamiliar and confusing for decision-makers. Standardized language describing financial implications of participation, namely compensation for injury and costs of care associated with participating, can be complex and could be a deterrent for potential participants.

Reframing Recruitment: Evaluating Framing in Authorization for Research Contact Programs.

Background: The changing clinical research recruitment landscape involves practical challenges but introduces opportunities. Researchers can now identify large numbers of eligible patients through electronic health record review and can directly contact those who have authorized contact. Applying behavioral science-driven strategies to design and frame communication could affect patients' willingness to authorize contact and their understanding of these programs.

Public attitudes toward an authorization for contact program for clinical research.

We conducted an online experimental survey to evaluate attitudes toward an authorization for contact (AFC) program allowing researchers to contact patients about studies based on electronic record review. A total of 1070 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 flyers varying in design and framing. Participants were asked to select concerns about and reasons for signing up for AFC.

High-Yield Birth-Cohort Hepatitis C Virus Screening and Linkage to Care Among Underserved African Americans, Atlanta, Georgia, 2012-2013.

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection disproportionately affects certain populations, including those born between 1945 and 1965 (i.e., baby boomers) and African Americans.