5 Myths About Patient Payments In Clinical Trials

In the complex world of clinical trials, patient payments are often treated as a minor administrative task. But for the people on the ground, site coordinators and participants, they’re anything but insignificant. When payments are delayed, inconsistent, or unclear, the ripple effects can be serious: missed visits, frustrated participants, and even early dropouts. These disruptions don’t just impact individual experiences; they can derail timelines, inflate costs, and compromise data integrity. Despite this, several persistent myths continue to shape how sponsors and sites approach payments. Some believe patients don’t care when they’re paid. Others assume that improving payment systems is too complicated or costly to be worth the effort. The truth is, a more thoughtful, transparent approach to payments can dramatically improve participant satisfaction and retention while easing the burden on site staff.

Differentiate the most common misconceptions and read on to learn practical guidance for building a more patient-centric payment strategy that supports study success from start to finish.