11-12-09: Vanderbilt: Web site matches research volunteers with studies

People who would like to participate in research studies now can connect with researchers throughout the country by joining a first of its kind, on-line “matching system,” ResearchMatch.org.

Fifty-two leading research institutions in 26 states, including Vanderbilt, are participating in the launch of the first national volunteer recruitment registry, which was announced this week by the National Institutes of Health.

The non-profit Web site (www.ResearchMatch.org) is a free and secure way for people to connect with thousands of researchers who are studying a wide range of diseases, and to “match” with studies that may be the right fit.

ResearchMatch.org is the product of a consortium of research institutions that have received federal funding through the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) to speed translation of discoveries from “bench to bedside.” The consortium is led by the National Center for Research Resources of the NIH.

“Recruiting volunteers is a one of the greatest challenges to completing research studies,” said Gordon Bernard, principal investigator of Vanderbilt’s CTSA and associate vice chancellor for Research. “ResearchMatch offers a solution to this problem by providing an easier way to bring researchers and the public together.”

The ResearchMatch Web site was designed by Dr. Paul Harris and colleagues at Vanderbilt, who are expert in building user-friendly, secure systems to help research. Vanderbilt will serve as the host of the site.

To join ResearchMatch as a volunteer, you will be asked a few questions about yourself, including contact information. All of this information will be stored securely and kept confidential, until you learn about a study of interest and give specific approval to be contacted by the personnel associated with that particular study.
For more information go to www.ResearchMatch.org.


http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/myvu/news/2009/11/11/web-site-matches-research-volunteers-with-studies.96864