P32 Using social media as a recruitment strategy to recruit patients, GPs and pharmacists

Abstract

Background Social media platforms occupy an increasingly significant role in providing learning and support for people to share healthcare experiences,1 yet little is known about their potential as participant recruitment avenues into health research.2 Aim To develop understanding of the role of social media as a recruitment tool, this paper presents conceptual and methodological insights, as well as early findings from a study using social media alongside traditional recruitment pathways,1 to explore patient, General Practitioner and Pharmacist experiences of the local implementation of a national led digital technology. Methods Using a combined recruitment strategy comprising of social media and traditional recruitment pathways, patients, General Practitioners and Pharmacists are being recruited into a mixed method study, involving online surveys and telephone interviews, to explore their experiences of the local implementation of a national led digital technology. Results Key insights include: Methodological design, development and implementation of a social media recruitment tool Barriers and enablers of using social media in comparison to traditional recruitment pathways Complexities of context: using a recruitment tool with an international reach to recruit locally Early exploratory findings and relationship to recruitment strategy Engagement and participation of different social media users: patients, General Practitioners and Pharmacists Implications for future research using social media as a recruitment tool. Conclusions Key insights can contribute towards learning about the use of social media as a recruitment tool in health research involving digital technologies and consideration of complex interrelated methodological, contextual, relational, ethical and participation issues. Reference Lupton D. ‘It just gives me a bit of peace of mind’: Australian Women’s use of digital media for pregnancy and early motherhood. Societies2017;7:25. Arigo D, Pagoto S, Carter-Harris L, et al. Using social media for health research: Methodological and ethical considerations for recruitment and intervention delivery. Digital Health 2018;4:2055207618771757.