Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Online technology is a promising resource for conducting clinical research. While the internet may improve a study's reach, as well as the efficiency of data collection, it may also introduce a number of challenges for participa...
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doaj-271af0d8f015429cbc1a530d40e613d42020-11-24T22:06:42ZengBMCTrials1745-62152009-08-011017610.1186/1745-6215-10-76Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trialCulver Silas AHess Michael LJanney Adrienne WBuis Lorraine RRichardson Caroline R<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Online technology is a promising resource for conducting clinical research. While the internet may improve a study's reach, as well as the efficiency of data collection, it may also introduce a number of challenges for participants and investigators. The objective of this research was to determine the challenges that potential participants faced during the enrollment phase of a randomized controlled intervention trial of Stepping Up to Health, an internet-mediated walking program that utilized a multi-step online enrollment process.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a quantitative content analysis of 623 help tickets logged in a participant management database during the enrollment phase of a clinical trial investigating the effect of an automated internet-mediated walking intervention. Qualitative coding was performed by two trained coders, and 10% of the sample was coded by both coders to determine inter-coder reliability. Quantitative analyses included standard descriptive statistics on ticket characteristics and theme frequency, and a Poisson regression analysis identified characteristics of potential participants who reported more frequent problems during enrollment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total, 880 potential participants visited the study website and 80% completed the enrollment screening. Of the potential participants who visited the study website, 38% had help tickets logged in the participant management database. The total number of help tickets associated with individual potential participants ranged from 0 to 7 (M = .71). Overall, 46% of help tickets were initiated by email and 54% were initiated by phone. The most common help ticket theme was issues related to the study process (48%). The next most prominent theme was discussion related to obtaining medical clearance (34%), followed by issues related to pedometers and uploading (31%). Older individuals, women, and those with lower self-rated internet ability were more likely to report problems during the enrollment process.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Prospective participants in an online clinical trial encountered a number of barriers to enrollment that led them to request help from study staff. Questions about the complex enrollment process itself were common. In a complex multi-step enrollment process, providing personalized feedback to potential participants indicating their status within the enrollment process may be beneficial.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00729040</p> http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/10/1/76 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Culver Silas A Hess Michael L Janney Adrienne W Buis Lorraine R Richardson Caroline R |
spellingShingle |
Culver Silas A Hess Michael L Janney Adrienne W Buis Lorraine R Richardson Caroline R Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial Trials |
author_facet |
Culver Silas A Hess Michael L Janney Adrienne W Buis Lorraine R Richardson Caroline R |
author_sort |
Culver Silas A |
title |
Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial |
title_short |
Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial |
title_full |
Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial |
title_fullStr |
Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial |
title_full_unstemmed |
Barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial |
title_sort |
barriers encountered during enrollment in an internet-mediated randomized controlled trial |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Trials |
issn |
1745-6215 |
publishDate |
2009-08-01 |
description |
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Online technology is a promising resource for conducting clinical research. While the internet may improve a study's reach, as well as the efficiency of data collection, it may also introduce a number of challenges for participants and investigators. The objective of this research was to determine the challenges that potential participants faced during the enrollment phase of a randomized controlled intervention trial of Stepping Up to Health, an internet-mediated walking program that utilized a multi-step online enrollment process.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a quantitative content analysis of 623 help tickets logged in a participant management database during the enrollment phase of a clinical trial investigating the effect of an automated internet-mediated walking intervention. Qualitative coding was performed by two trained coders, and 10% of the sample was coded by both coders to determine inter-coder reliability. Quantitative analyses included standard descriptive statistics on ticket characteristics and theme frequency, and a Poisson regression analysis identified characteristics of potential participants who reported more frequent problems during enrollment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total, 880 potential participants visited the study website and 80% completed the enrollment screening. Of the potential participants who visited the study website, 38% had help tickets logged in the participant management database. The total number of help tickets associated with individual potential participants ranged from 0 to 7 (M = .71). Overall, 46% of help tickets were initiated by email and 54% were initiated by phone. The most common help ticket theme was issues related to the study process (48%). The next most prominent theme was discussion related to obtaining medical clearance (34%), followed by issues related to pedometers and uploading (31%). Older individuals, women, and those with lower self-rated internet ability were more likely to report problems during the enrollment process.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Prospective participants in an online clinical trial encountered a number of barriers to enrollment that led them to request help from study staff. Questions about the complex enrollment process itself were common. In a complex multi-step enrollment process, providing personalized feedback to potential participants indicating their status within the enrollment process may be beneficial.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00729040</p> |
url |
http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/10/1/76 |
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