5 Keys to creating good patient recruiting sites

One of the most challenging aspects of completing a clinical research study is recruiting appropriate participants.  Based on developing many patient recruting sites, we have developed our top-five list of items to do.

1. Easy to read.  It is critical that all medical jargon be very limited in the site.  While it is fine to include the terminology, make sure that it is defined clearly.

2. Describe your Team.  There is so much junk on the web today and much of it is misleading or designed to lure the unsuspecting.  Make sure that your team and institution are clearly described in your site.

3. Define your Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Clearly.  If prospects attempt to enroll who are not qualified, it wastes recruting and assessment time.  Make sure that the criteria to participate are clearly outlined so the participant will realize the he or she isn't eligible so you don't have to.

4. Make the Participant Responsibilities Clear.  One of the most frustruating things is to screen a patient, complete the consent and then have them drop out because the requirements weren't well understood.  Make sure that they are clearly outlined in the site and it will save everyone headaches.

5. Clear Call to Action.  Make sure that it is obvious what you want the propsective participant to do.  You might consider having the 'I want to participate' link clearly defined either on the header or the primary menu of the site