Recruitment Core (RRSF) 

 

The Recruitment Core (RRSF) is directed by Priscilla S. Johnson, MSN, PhD who promotes patient recruitment through community education, and media communication strategies , whether in malls, offices, and/or community affairs. It has been in operation since late fall of 2001.

 

Recruitment Core Program Coordinator/Community Liaison: Pamela Cooper schedules all activities to promote the center and educate the community on research. These activities include, but are not limited to, media, marketing, public relations, collaborations of partners and event planning. She consults with each protocol team (principal investigator, study coordinator and technical support etc.) on avenues for successful recruitment. The Coordinator consults with the Research Subject Advocate on Data and Safety monitoring interventions. She assists with managing recruitment budget for the core, as well as provides statistical data on screening events for inclusion into required reporting.

 

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) was established in January 2002. This group of enthusiastic community leaders became champions of clinical research participation following a “train the trainer” strategy in which they participated in an educational workshop on clinical research at the Morehouse School of Medicine, Clinical Research Center. With the inception of this group and the tenacity of the recruitment core, enrollment of participants has increased significantly. The advisory board consists of clergy, retired health professionals, senior citizens, media representative and others.

 

Fig 34. Media Communication Strategies: Recruitment Billboard
Functions: The recruitment core facility assists with educating the community on clinical trials, providing information on health disparities issues, and increasing the number of participants enrolled in clinical research trials at Morehouse School of Medicine. It introduces and enhance the awareness of human subjects rights with regards to participation in clinical trials, through community outreach.

 

Sources for Recruitment: The community is the center’s primary source for recruitment. The communities consist of all races, religions, organizations (profit and non-profit), ages, and advocates.

 

Usage and Benefits: The RRSF provides all Morehouse clinical researchers with reliable and comprehensive strategies for successful recruitment for their individual protocols, allowing them to optimize all avenues and resources. Various departments here on campus have benefited from the efforts of the core in meeting their target enrollment. Investigators can also gain access to the 3-PAR database that is in progress containing community members that have agreed to participate in MSM trials. The collaboration between University of Alabama, Tuskegee University, and MSM, known as the “Deep South Connection” will assist the CRC with a new innovative scheduling and tracking 3 par database.

 

Community Collaborations: The CRC recruitment/retention core has served in many capacities throughout the institution and the community. The recruitment/retention core has operated as a consultant team for several projects with Community Health and Preventive Medicine, 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Atlanta and Dekalb County, Concerts, Community organizations and local churches. Collaborations with these various entities have opened the doors to the center’s successful of recruitment efforts.