What does "subject recruitment" refer to in clinical trials?

"Subject recruitment" in clinical trials specifically refers to the process of enrolling participants into a clinical trial. This is a critical phase in the clinical research process because the success and validity of a trial often rely on having an appropriate and well-defined population of subjects who meet the necessary inclusion criteria.

During recruitment, researchers use various strategies to find and enroll individuals who are willing to participate and whose health status aligns with the study requirements. This process can involve advertising, outreach to healthcare providers, and direct engagement with potential participants. Effective recruitment is essential for ensuring that the study can be completed in a timely manner and that the data collected are reliable and generalizable.

The other options provided focus on different aspects of clinical trials. Evaluating effectiveness pertains to assessing the results of the treatment or intervention being tested. Monitoring participants’ health results involves ongoing assessments to track outcomes during the trial. Conducting surveys after trial completion generally relates to gathering feedback or additional data to understand participants' experiences or the long-term effects of the intervention, but it does not pertain to the initial recruitment process itself. Therefore, the focus of subject recruitment is distinctly about the enrollment of participants.