Although advertising is usually the most costly patient-recruitment technique, the advantages are significant. In countries where advertising is allowed, it is often the best method for reaching a mass audience and attracting new patients into the clinic from the external community. Because its effects are additive, rather than incremental, advertising can reach patients who would not be reached with any other recruitment method.

PCRG is experienced in designing and managing cost-effective local advertising campaigns targeting patients. PCRG designs and produces highly-focused marketing materials to attract the selected population and tailors these materials for the needs of individual sites. The actual individualized media strategy is based on local population characteristics, site experience and local market opportunities. Site experience and Arbitron® rating data will be used to select media for each market. Media placements can be purchased at PCRG’s negotiated discounted rates, usually 7% lower than standard net rates, or sites can be asked to place ads directly with local media.

We highly recommend that all responses to advertising be processed through a central response management system that provides expanded-hours coverage, increases referral capacity and provides for real-time monitoring of referral activity and site responsiveness. Every call is logged and immediately patched directly to a pre-identified person at the site. All responses are then tracked and data is analyzed.