Remember, “cold calling” is generally prohibited as a recruitment strategy, even if the IRB approves your review of the Clinical Data Warehouse (e.g.) to find potential subjects. Initial contact must come from a treating provider, unless the patient has authorized contact via Emory Healthcare’s “front door authorization” (see flag in the medical record). Requests for any other type of “cold calling” must be reviewed carefully by the IRB, and are unlikely to be approved, though the IRB members do understand how challenging recruitment can be.

Also, remember to amend your IRB submission any time you add or revise recruitment materials or strategies. Recruitment plans must be well-described in the protocol and/or the Recruitment section of the eIRB smartform. And follow our Recruitment Guidelines!