Clinical Trial Transportation

Why is Transport Needed for Clinical Trial Participants? 

Clinical trial participants, which include patient volunteers and their caregivers often travel to research sites throughout their participation in the study. These “sites” could be a few miles away, or in some cases another country. And these “visits” are akin to visiting your doctor – study procedures are conducted and these visits may last anywhere from a few minutes, to multiple days for inpatient stays.

Now imagine your visits occur every two weeks, for 2 years! The burdens of planning, managing, and covering the costs of travel (even if reimbursed) will start to weigh on participants, which may even cause them to drop out of the study prematurely.

Did you know: travel is often reported in patient surveys as a key barrier to participation for clinical trial participants.

What types of transportation is typically required?

Transportation requirements are determined by a number of factors:

1. Location of clinical trial participant to research Site
2. Participant requirements such as wheel chair accessibility
3. Participant preferences such as preferred modes of transportation or specific carriers

Common forms of transportation required for Clinical Trial participants (in order of prevalence):

1. Ground transfers
   1. Chauffeured/black car
   2. Ride-share
2. Accommodations
3. Airfare
4. Train
5. Bus

Most participants have a mix of needs which are determined following enrollment, and may vary visit to visit. In some cases a participant may need to travel internationally to receive specific care only available at certain institutions. These participants often require passport and visa support and long term housing. Other ancillary services offered in conjunction with travel may include pet sitting and childcare.

Note: it is ultimately up to the Sponsor to determine the scope of services that are made available to their clinical trial participants.

Block Clinical Manages Transporation for Clinical Trial Participants? 

Absolutely! If you see the logo below study materials, you’ll know that we’re there to provide a single point of contact, in the participants native language, to provide support to and from a research site. And although we try to minimize out of pocket expenses for participants by prepaying where we can, we also reimburse patients promptly for any out of pocket expenses covered by the study, and pay stipends where required.