A Method for Investigator Identification and Recruitment at Scientific Meetings

Abstract

Efficient investigator recruitment for large multicenter pharmaceutical trials continues to be problematic. Screening of potential investigators and subsequent determination of the level of interest for participation in the intended clinical investigation is a time consuming process which may be rate limiting to the initiation of all anticipated investigative sites in a multicenter protocol. To this end, an alternative method for screening protential investigators for a Phase III multicenter study of a therapeutic agent intended for the treatment of severe head injury was developed and implemented. An investigators booth was established at a national scientific meeting and staffed by research division personnel of the pharmaceutical sponsor. The booth permitted the sponsor's research division employees to screen prospective investigators and to determine the level of interest of potential investigators in participating in the clinical trial. This method provided for a high level of initial contact with many potential investigators in order to rapidly ascertain research capability and subsequent interest in participating in the clinical trials.