Headlines
Four numbers to start with
120 hrsmedian time a participant gives to one study, clinic plus travel
25%of the value of that time is covered by the stipend, at the median
82%of study designs pay a stipend below the value of participants’ time
35%of designs pay for lost income; only 28% pay stipend, lost income and costs together
Explore
Where the gap is widest
Switch the measure and the grouping. Point at a bar for details, or show the table.
Method
How we worked this out
About this data. 227 trial designs entered into the RHIEOS burden calculator (308 entries; duplicates and implausible test values removed, such as more than 150 visits or 24 hours per visit). These are simulations of planned studies, not observed participant costs. “Value of time” = visits × (clinic + travel hours) × regional hourly earnings (ILOSTAT 2022, PPP). Stipend = visits × stipend per visit.
Planning a study?
Check the burden before the protocol is final. It is free and takes 10–15 minutes.