Broad inclusion leads to maximal value – examining travel costs associated with clinical trial participation

Introduction Acts of social good, like jury service and voting, lead to distributive societal benefits often come with protections ensure that everyone can participate. Clinical trial participation is an act yet it lacks or comes at great personal cost. Methods In this current study, we assessed the indirect costs associated cancer clinical among patients enrolled in therapeutic trials two National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Centers as part a multi-institutional IMPACT (Improving Patient Access Trials) program from January 2018 August 2020. Results A total 258 received financial reimbursement during period. The median (interquartile range, IQR) reimbursed amount (including all cost categories possible) US dollars $378 (1123); for each category $0 (0) typically do not request categories. requested entries was $713 (1,824) lodging, $248 (902) ground transportation, $208 (373) gas/ parking/ tolls, $1080 (2105) patient flight, $1,001 (1793) companion flight. Average per attributable lodging $342 (standard deviation, SD=1081), transportation $277 (SD=843), gas/parking/tolls $410 (SD=634), flight $70 (SD=477), $76 (SD=506). Conclusion Our analysis demonstrates participants incur engage trials, these vary by institution. These data support notion should receive same government employers offer other goods such voting service.