San Diegans interested in participating in research studies now have a new way to be connected with researchers who are conducting these studies, with the launch of ResearchMatch.org [1], the nation's first disease-neutral volunteer recruitment registry.
ResearchMatch is the product of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards [2] (CTSA) Consortium, a national network of 46 medical research institutions funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The only San Diego institution participating in the ResearchMatch registry is the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI), the sole Southern California-based institution to be selected to the CTSA consortium.
The ResearchMatch.org website offers an easy, free, and secure way for volunteers to connect with researchers who are conducting studies on various health and disease topics. San Diegans can self-register online as potential volunteers for local studies based on their health profile and preferences. Once registered, volunteers are notified electronically by the registry when they are a possible match for a study. Volunteers' personal information is protected until they authorize the release of their contact information for a specific study, and there is no obligation to participate.
In addition to offering a convenient alternative for volunteers looking for research studies, the not-for-profit registry offers scientists a new tool to address the complex and challenging recruitment process.
People of all ages and backgrounds living in the United States are welcome to consider joining ReseachMatch as a volunteer, regardless of their health condition. A parent, legal guardian, or caretaker may register someone younger than 19, or someone unable to enter their own information.