Adult Cancer Patient Recruitment and Enrollment into Cell Phone Text Message Trials

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Text messaging (TMs) offers a promising avenue for delivering behavioral interventions to adult cancer patients.
• Limited data exists on the acceptability and recruitment factors for TM interventions in this population.
• Understanding recruitment strategies is crucial for optimizing digital health interventions in oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability of a TM intervention among adult cancer patients.
• To identify factors influencing screening and enrollment in TM intervention trials.
• To compare recruitment rates and patient characteristics between a national specialty pharmacy and community cancer clinics.

Main Methods:

• Data from two randomized controlled trials on TM efficacy for medication adherence and symptom severity were analyzed.
• Statistical methods including chi-square, Fisher's exact, t-tests, and generalized linear modeling were employed.
• Sociodemographics, cancer type/stage, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, social support, and symptom burden were examined.

Main Results:

• The specialty pharmacy demonstrated higher screening eligibility (72% vs. 43%) and consent rates (74% vs. 56%) compared to cancer clinics.
• Patients recruited via the specialty pharmacy had later-stage disease and reported more symptoms.
• No significant differences were found in depression, self-efficacy, or social support between recruitment settings.

Conclusions:

• Adult cancer patients show a high likelihood of participating in text messaging intervention trials.
• Recruitment through specialty pharmacies effectively engages patients with greater cell phone ownership and interest in TM interventions.
• Specialty pharmacies represent a valuable recruitment channel for digital health interventions in oncology.