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Describing current use, barriers, and facilitators of patient portal messaging for research recruitment: Perspectives from study teams and patients at one institution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2023

Hailey N. Miller
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
Sierra Lindo
Affiliation:
Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Recruitment Innovation Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Laura J. Fish
Affiliation:
Duke Cancer Institute, Behavioral Health and Survey Research Core, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Jamie Roberts
Affiliation:
Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA
John Stover
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Earl H. Schwark
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Nicholas Eberlein
Affiliation:
Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Recruitment Innovation Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Dalia Mack
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Margaret Falkovic
Affiliation:
Duke Cancer Institute, Behavioral Health and Survey Research Core, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Christina Makarushka
Affiliation:
Duke Cancer Institute, Behavioral Health and Survey Research Core, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Ranee Chatterjee*
Affiliation:
Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Recruitment Innovation Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
*
Address for correspondence: R. Chatterjee, MD, MPH, 710 W. Main Street, 1st floor, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Email: ranee.chatterjee@duke.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

The electronic health record (EHR) and patient portal are used increasingly for clinical research, including patient portal recruitment messaging (PPRM). Use of PPRM has grown rapidly; however, best practices are still developing. In this study, we examined the use of PPRM at our institution and conducted qualitative interviews among study teams and patients to understand experiences and preferences for PPRM.

Methods:

We identified study teams that sent PPRMs and patients that received PPRMs in a 60-day period. We characterized these studies and patients, in addition to the patients’ interactions with the PPRMs (e.g., viewed, responded). From these groups, we recruited study team members and patients for semi-structured interviews. A pragmatic qualitative inquiry framework was used by interviewers. Interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using a rapid qualitative analysis exploratory approach.

Results:

Across ten studies, 35,037 PPRMs were sent, 33% were viewed, and 17% were responded to. Interaction rates varied across demographic groups. Six study team members completed interviews and described PPRM as an efficient and helpful recruitment method. Twenty-eight patients completed interviews. They were supportive of receiving PPRMs, particularly when the PPRM was relevant to their health. Patients indicated that providing more information in the PPRM would be helpful, in addition to options to set personalized preferences.

Conclusions:

PPRM is an efficient recruitment method for study teams and is acceptable to patients. Engagement with PPRMs varies across demographic groups, which should be considered during recruitment planning. Additional research is needed to evaluate and implement recommended changes by study teams and patients.

Information

Type
Research Article
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Association for Clinical and Translational Science
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Processes for PPRM development and deployment at Duke health.

Figure 1

Table 1. Study and patient portal recruitment message characteristics

Figure 2

Table 2. Patient interaction with patient portal recruitment messages by sociodemographic characteristics

Figure 3

Table 3. Study team survey responses

Figure 4

Table 4. Study team recommendations for improving patient portal recruitment messaging

Figure 5

Table 5. Patient feedback and suggestions for improving patient portal recruitment messaging