title: Streamlining Participant Recruitment for TBI and PTSD Research Studies.
abstract: Recruitment of participants for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) studies is a major challenge, causing delays in study timelines and even study failures. To address this challenge, the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) Recruitment Core developed procedures for identification, screening, and referral of participants from screening studies to a broad range of TBI and PTSD studies.
  
  
  
  Participants were recruited from civilian hospitals, Military Treatment Facilities, and through various events and presentations. Enrolled participants were referred to other studies during initial enrollment, follow-up visits, or ad hoc as new CNRM studies became active. A centralized online database was used to streamline the eligibility and referral process.
  
  
  
  As of October 25, 2016, 1,040 enrolled participants from the two screening studies have been assessed for eligibility for active CNRM studies. Referrals have led to 197 total enrollments into other CNRM studies. Common reasons for exclusion from studies included age, date of injury, injury severity, contraindication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging, state of residence, and military status.
  
  
  
  Collaborative work with multiple disciplines and institutions, and the use of diverse media, was critical to augmenting participant enrollment, and significantly diversified the demographics of the participant population. Streamlining the referral process helps studies meet their timelines and target enrollment.
authors.affiliation: Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817.
authors.forename: Shristi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817.
authors.forename: Kerri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.affiliation: Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817.
authors.forename: Kelli L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817.
authors.forename: Mariam M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Afzal
authors.affiliation: Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 12725 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852.
authors.forename: Maulik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Purohit
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 12725 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors