Get help with study recruitment and other study support services via ECRI’s innovative methods

Researchers looking for personalized assistance with clinical research study design are encouraged to contact the Embedded Clinical Research and Innovation Unit (ECRI), part of the UCLA CTSI Office of Clinical Research (OCR). ECRI provides tailored support at any stage—from initial development to ongoing operations—to enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall success of clinical studies, with a particular focus on improving recruitment, retention, and targeted outreach. Assistance includes:

• Study Development and Study Support (workflow design for recruitment, recruitment and communication materials, on-site or online study coordination, and metrics and reporting)
• Recruitment Services (MyChart recruitment, workbench reports, real-time alerts/notifications, e-consenting workflows, automated robo-calls, and emails/text messages)
• Research Recruitment Registries (access to a varied portfolio of research recruitment registries including mental health, smart technology, diabetes, GI, LA Wildfire Registry, and more)
• REDCap Support (help with building REDCap surveys and/or study tracking mechanisms)
• Partnership with Center for Smart Health (supporting studies by providing technical assistance, device management, and data collection services for research involving wearable devices and sensor-based tracking)
• Universal Consent and EMBRACE recruitment registries (to provide streamlined participant matching and outreach while maintaining regulatory compliance)

ECRI’s expertise encompasses CareConnect tools and two emerging areas: (1) digital-first and decentralized study models, where participants can engage with research remotely, outside of traditional clinical settings, and (2) EHR-driven recruitment strategies, such as automated MyChart messaging and real-time alerts, which improve both speed and accuracy in participant identification. 

Such approaches help researchers design studies that are “innovative, inclusive, and aligned with the national priorities shaping the future of clinical research,” ECRI Director Antonia Petruse said. 

ECRI’s unique resources include its Empowering Individuals 55+ by Bringing Research Awareness through Community Engagement (EMBRACE) resource, a trusted network of 29 senior living and community centers across Los Angeles County. EMBRACE helps researchers engage older adults through in-person outreach and education, making studies more approachable and inclusive. 

“This program has created new opportunities for research by reaching historically harder to engage populations, while also providing tailored support for study teams to adapt materials and improve long-term participant engagement,” Petruse said. 

How to Reach Out

Petruse encourages researchers to engage ECRI early in the process, ideally during the development of a study protocol or grant proposal. This allows the ECRI team to guide study workflows, help identify potential operational and regulatory challenges, and suggest areas for innovation. 

She also advises investigators to bring a clear overview of their study objectives, target participant populations, and any anticipated recruitment challenges, to productively drive the discussion. Draft materials such as proposed eligibility criteria or consent language are especially helpful for tailoring guidance. “Engaging ECRI early not only strengthens study design but also ensures that proposals and protocols reflect CTSI’s commitment to rigorous, participant-centered research, improving competitiveness for funding and long-term success,” she said.

To request a consultation, please complete the ECRI intake form or contact the team at ECRI@mednet.ucla.edu. You can also visit the ECRI website for additional information on offered services.