title: The Use of Technology in Participant Tracking and Study Retention: Lessons Learned From a Clinical Trials Network Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The growing use of newer communication and Internet technologies, even among low-income and transient populations, require research staff to update their outreach strategies to ensure high follow-up and participant retention rates. This paper presents the views of research assistants on the use of cell phones and the Internet to track participants in a multisite randomized trial of substance use disorder treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preinterview questionnaires exploring tracking and other study-related activities were collected from 21 research staff across the 10 participating US sites. Data were then used to construct a semistructured interview guide that, in turn, was used to interview 12 of the same staff members. The questionnaires and interview data were entered in Atlas.ti and analyzed for emergent themes related to the use of technology for participant-tracking purposes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study staff reported that most participants had cell phones, despite having unstable physical addresses and landlines. The incoming call feature of most cell phones was useful for participants and research staff alike, and texting proved to have additional benefits. However, reliance on participants' cell phones also proved problematic. Even homeless participants were found to have access to the Internet through public libraries and could respond to study staff e-mails. Some study sites opened generic social media accounts, through which study staff sent private messages to participants. However, the institutional review board (IRB) approval process for tracking participants using social media at some sites was prohibitively lengthy. Internet searches through Google, national paid databases, obituaries, and judiciary Web sites were also helpful tools.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research staff perceive that cell phones, Internet searches, and social networking sites were effective tools to achieve high follow-up rates in drug abuse research. Studies should incorporate cell phone, texting, and social network Web site information on locator forms; obtain IRB approval for contacting participants using social networking Web sites; and include Web searches, texting, and the use of social media in staff training as standard operating procedures.
authors: a Friends Research Institute, Inc. , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
authors: Shannon Gwin
authors: SG
authors: Mitchell
authors: a Friends Research Institute, Inc. , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
authors: Robert P
authors: RP
authors: Schwartz
authors: b Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
authors: Anika A H
authors: AA
authors: Alvanzo
authors: c The Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center of Hawaii , Kaneohe , Hawaii , USA.
authors: Monique S
authors: MS
authors: Weisman
authors: d The Center for Drug Free Living , Orlando , Florida , USA.
authors: Tiffany L
authors: TL
authors: Kyle
authors: e New York Psychiatric Institute , New York , New York , USA.
authors: Eva M
authors: EM
authors: Turrigiano
authors: f Eskenazi Health, Midtown Community Mental Health Center , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA.
authors: Martha L
authors: ML
authors: Gibson
authors: d The Center for Drug Free Living , Orlando , Florida , USA.
authors: Livangelie
authors: L
authors: Perez
authors: g Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston , South Carolina , USA.
authors: Erin A
authors: EA
authors: McClure
authors: h Department of Epidemiology , University of Miami , Orlando , Florida , USA.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Clingerman
authors: i Stanley Street Treatment and Resources , Fall River , Massachusetts , USA.
authors: Autumn
authors: A
authors: Froias
authors: j Evergreen Manor , Everett , Washington , USA.
authors: Danielle R
authors: DR
authors: Shandera
authors: k University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas , Texas , USA.
authors: Robrina
authors: R
authors: Walker
authors: f Eskenazi Health, Midtown Community Mental Health Center , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA.
authors: Dean L
authors: DL
authors: Babcock
authors: i Stanley Street Treatment and Resources , Fall River , Massachusetts , USA.
authors: Genie L
authors: GL
authors: Bailey
authors: l Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons , New York , New York , USA.
authors: Gloria M
authors: GM
authors: Miele
authors: m Oregon Health & Science University , Eugene , Oregon , USA.
authors: Lynn E
authors: LE
authors: Kunkel
authors: n Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism , Danbury , Connecticut , USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Norton
authors: o Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
authors: Maxine L
authors: ML
authors: Stitzer
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D061108:Social Media
keywords: Clinical trials; participant tracking; social media; technology; texting