Innovative use of social media tools to enhance retention in community-based research.

In an effort to increase retention in a community-based multi-site clinical trial, protocol CTN-0044 (“Web-Delivery of Evidence-Based, Psychosocial Treatment for Substance Use Disorders”), three of the ten participating sites introduced social media tools to contact and locate participants enrolled in outpatient substance abuse treatment. Of 138 eligible participants, 68 (49%) agreed to be contacted via social media. Most who did not agree did not have a social media account or reliable access to a computer. Research staff found social media outlets to be useful, but only used them when other contact options were exhausted.

This poster describes technology issues, confidentiality concerns, and recommendations for establishing systematic guidelines for social media use.

Related protocols: CTN-0044