WCM has historically restricted “cold calling” as a recruitment method. This "no cold-calling" guidance was designed to protect patient privacy. Consent to be Contacted for Research (CCR) is a registry protocol (#1812019822) where patients can opt-in via Epic MyChart (Weill Cornell Connect) to be approached for research studies. CCR should not be the sole method of recruitment but is a tool to aid research recruitment.
Through an established workflow, WCM investigators can reach out to patients who have provided this consent to offer them the opportunity to participate in a research study. Patients are contacted via MyChart with an IRB-approved message and offer their response through the same mechanism, after which researchers can contact these potential participants directly.
For more information on using this resource to drive accrual to your studies, contact ccr-support@med.cornell.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
How do patients consent to be contacted for research?
During Epic MyChart (also known as Connect) eCheck-In, patients are given the opportunity to indicate their preference (Yes, No, or Undecided) and sign a consent form to participate in CCR. Patient preferences are then stored in a secure database.
Who is eligible for the Consent to be Contacted for Research protocol?
Any patient with a visit at NYP-WCM (including East and Lower Manhattan campuses) and/or NYP-Columbia is eligible for the CCR protocol.
Can I see the patient’s Consent to be Contacted for Research preference in Epic/MyChart?
No, researchers will not be able to see if a patient has indicated that they are interested in being contacted for research through their chart directly and should contact ccr-support@med.cornell.edu for more information.