Researchers and the IRB spend a lot of time thinking about appropriate compensation for study subjects. What’s appropriate? What might unduly influence a decision whether or not to join or continuing participation in a study?
The compensation model we typically see involves paying all subjects the same amount for participating, prorated for whatever portion of the study they complete. A new report in the Journal of Medical Ethics takes a more nuanced view of payment, saying that differential payments in the same study may sometimes be justified. They say participants may differ from one another “based on differential expenses, sensitivity to financial burden, local purchasing power, study burdens, contributions and ability to help satisfy scientifically important recruitment goals.”
We encourage you to click on the link above and read the entire article. It is available through the UAMS library. If you have trouble accessing it, please email the IRB Blog Central Original Source Manager at paalediths@uams.edu.