The MAN Study
for Diabetes
Challenge
- Support 14 US Phase I research centers in ensuring a 70% retention rate.
- Maximize study compliance and participant retention over 6–12 months-duration, in a population motivated by financial gain.
- Emphasize the importance of each man’s participation in this study.
- Educate patients about how to stay compliant with the study criteria.
- Sustain interest in study despite lengthy study visists and three overnight visits.
Solutions
- A male-centered retention program was developed, along with a welcome pack and 16 patient information booklets. Patients were also given a branded ‘Man Study’ USB memory stick upon signing up for the study.
- Patient-facing content included practical diet and lifestyle tips, games and puzzles to help pass the time during lengthy study visits, and key study-related information.
- A text message/email reminder service was offered to patients, as well as reminder cards, to further increase patient retention.
- Study sites were supported with regular phone calls by the site relations team, and were given a guide to the overall patient retention program to ensure awareness.
Result
- The study successfully met its retention goals and the study concluded sooner.
- There was a low uptake for the text message/reminder service, potentially due to the cost to the patient of receiving a text message, but this did not impact retention results.
