Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Connecting the public with clinical trial options: The ResearchMatch Trials Today tool

Jill M. Pulley, Rebecca N Jerome, Gordon R. Bernard, Erik J. Olson, Jason Tan, Consuelo H. Wilkins, Paul A. Harris

Journal of Clinical and Translational Science · 2018

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Summary

This analysis of ResearchMatch Trials Today, a free public interface to ClinicalTrials.gov, examined search behaviour patterns to understand how the public accesses information about clinical trial opportunities. Over 21 months, the tool processed over 100,000 searches across a diverse range of health conditions and topics, demonstrating substantial public demand for centralised trial-matching resources. The findings suggest that simplified, accessible interfaces can facilitate informed participation in clinical research.

UK applicability

Similar trial-matching platforms exist in the UK through NHS research networks and the NIHR Clinical Research Network, though this US-focused analysis may not directly reflect UK search behaviour or trial availability. The principles of public engagement and accessibility demonstrated could inform UK efforts to improve trial recruitment and participant diversity.

Key measures

Number of searches (101,249); number of unique topics searched (12,649); breadth of conditions and healthy volunteer concepts sought

Outcomes reported

The study analysed 101,249 searches conducted through ResearchMatch Trials Today between March 2015 and November 2016, documenting the range of health conditions and topics for which members of the public sought clinical trial information.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Other / interdisciplinary
Study type
Research
Study design
Observational analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United States
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1017/cts.2018.327
Catalogue ID
BFmoso8xrl-ubo4w2

Topic tags

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