Early recruitment in Connect.Parkinson, a national, randomized, controlled trial of telemedicine for Parkinson disease (P1.197)

OBJECTIVE: To recruit individuals with Parkinson disease into a national randomized, controlled trial of telemedicine. BACKGROUND: (NCT02038959), funded by the Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will evaluate the impact of specialty care provided to individuals with Parkinson disease directly in their homes using videoconferencing. The study aims to recruit some of the many Parkinson disease patients who are unable to see neurologists due to distance, disability, physician availability, and other barriers. Approximately 200 participants in up to 19 states throughout the United States will be recruited. DESIGN/METHODS: Recruitment efforts have utilized large-scale, electronic communication methods to distribute approved materials, including (1) a listing on Michael J. Fox Fox Trial Finder and (2) targeted email announcements from organizations including PatientsLikeMe and the National Parkinson Foundation. In an effort to reach individuals with Parkinson disease not seeing neurologists, phone calls were made to primary care providers seeing large numbers of individuals with Parkinson disease. Individuals express interest in the study through the Connect.Parkinson website (Connect.Parkinson.org), where they submit contact information through a secure survey form. Individuals have also found the study through word-of-mouth, including social networking sites like Facebook and communication among support group members. RESULTS: Since February 2014, the Connect.Parkinson webpage has been viewed by 4,462 individuals. 677 individuals have indicated interest in participating in the study. Of those who have completed the interest survey, 77.5[percnt] are located in eligible states. However, conversations with interested individuals suggest that the vast majority are currently seeing a general neurologist and/or movement disorders specialist for care. CONCLUSIONS: Interest in home telemedicine care is high, and recruitment of individuals currently receiving specialist care has proven successful with inexpensive and accessible methods. Methods to reach individuals with more limited access to care remain to be developed. Study Supported by: Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute Disclosure: Dr. Korn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Achey has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beck has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boyd has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schmidt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Willis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Willis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Willis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Riggare has nothing to disclose. Dr. Simone has nothing to disclose. Dr. Biglan has received personal compensation for activities with Lundbeck and Omeros as a consultant. Dr. Dorsey has received personal compensation for activities with Amgen, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Clintrex, Lundbeck Research USA, Inc., Medtronic, and Transparency Life Sciences. Dr. Dorsey has received compensation for editorial services for HD Insigh