A Multi-institutional Descriptive Study on the Methods of Subject Recruitment for Clinical Trials

Objectives: In this study, we surveyed the methods of subject recruitment used in medical institutions and investigated the appropriate methods for each type of clinical study or medical institution.Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the methods of subject recruitment used in four medical institutions (Department of Clinical Research, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center; Clinical Trial Center, Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital; Center for Drug & Food Clinical Evaluation, Osaka City University Hospital; Translational Research Center, Kyoto University Hospital) in November 2009. We listed the methods of subject recruitment indicated in the responses and determined the suitability for specific target diseases or medical institutions based on the possibility of increasing the number of subjects or promoting registration of subjects.Results: Different methods aiming at facilitating recruitment were used depending on the target disease and the situation of the medical facility. These methods include advertising within the institution using audiovisual materials, putting information of the study on a web page, forming a volunteer group, and explaining the clinical study separately from outpatient consultation.Conclusion: It is necessary to select and combine methods of subject recruitment depending on target disease and situation of the medical facility.