Maximizing patient recruitment using MyChart messages
Optimizing Strategies to Maximize Patient Recruitment Yield
This project tests whether different types of MyChart messages help health systems recruit more patients for research studies.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Emory University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07290335 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This platform trial randomizes different MyChart messaging strategies—baseline (control), positively valenced, payment-inclusive, and combined positive-plus-payment—sent through the electronic health record patient portal to eligible patients. Participating primary studies must use the MyChart recruitment service and meet minimum message-volume criteria, and messages are allocated across arms to compare response and enrollment outcomes. Key measures include message open and click-through rates, consent/enrollment rates, and the representativeness of enrolled participants. The work is conducted within the Emory Healthcare system and includes all adults who receive MyChart recruitment messages for participating studies.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who receive MyChart recruitment messages and meet the eligibility criteria of a participating primary study are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Children/minors, patients excluded by the primary study, and people who do not use or receive MyChart messages are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase enrollment rates, improve participant diversity, and reduce the time and cost needed to complete studies.
How similar studies have performed: Other EHR- and patient-portal recruitment efforts have shown promising but mixed results, and applying a randomized platform design to messaging strategies is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for primary studies that are recruiting participants: * All studies using the MyChart recruitment service are eligible, including both clinical trials and observational studies. Exclusion Criterion for primary studies that are recruiting participants: * Not using MyChart for recruitment. * At least 500 messages sent, 125 for each arm Inclusion Criteria for patients: * All patients receiving messages via MyChart will be included * Potential eligibility for a study using MyChart requirement based on the planned query/criteria for that study. Exclusion Criteria for patients: * Minor * Excluded from primary study that is recruiting participants.
Where this trial is running
Atlanta, Georgia
- Emory Healthcare System — Atlanta, Georgia, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Neal Dickert, MD, PhD — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Neal Dickert, MD, PhD
- Email: njr@emory.edu
- Phone: (404) 712-6834
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.