1. Act Fast to Secure Referrals

Our data reveals that contacting a referral within 24-48 hours of their application is critical. Beyond this window, the likelihood of no response increases by nearly 50%—and it can reach 100% if there’s no follow-up within 5 days. People often apply to multiple studies, so being the first to reach out significantly boosts your chances of capturing their attention and engagement.

2. Simplify Your First Contact

When reaching out to a referral for the first time via email, voice message, or text, focus on the therapeutic area (TA) being studied instead of the study name or site. Most people won’t immediately recognize these details, but they’ll connect more easily with the TA. This simple shift can help eliminate confusion and increase response rates.

3. Texting Drives Better Engagement

Text messaging has proven to be the most effective communication tool for patient recruitment. Use text to schedule calls, confirm that you’ve sent important study information, or to confirm screening and appointment times. It’s a quick, direct way to stay connected with your referrals and keep them engaged throughout the process.