Reimbursement of expenses to research subjects: Brazilian researchers experience

Abstract

Objective: To assess the experience and opinion of the researchers in the area of Gynecology and Obstetrics about the reimbursement of expenses to the research subjects.

Subjects and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in which semi-structured interviews were done by telephone, with seven researchers-professors from five post-graduate programs in Obstetrics and Gynecology in São Paulo universities. Thematic content analysis from the transcribed interviews was conducted.

Results: Five researchers had experience with studies in which the compensation was made to the subjects, usually paid in cash. No researcher reported having any difficult to calculate the amount of compensation because it was determined by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) or by any agency which is given the funds for the research. The research project was approved by an REC which did not make any question about the amount proposed. Participants agreed that in addition to transportation and food, it is convenient to also take into account the time, day job, what exactly would be the subject participation and the complexity of the survey to calculate the amount of compensation. This may not be high because it can "buy the conscience" or produce a "way of commerce"; even in cases it is low; however, if the compensation is so low the participants reported that "it does not worth” to take part of the study.

Discussion: The researchers have no official rules regulated, to establish the amount of compensation for each survey. They recognize that it is difficult to establish this value not to constrain people, but at the same time, understand that the compensation can motivate them to participate in the research. They highlights the need to broaden the discussion about it to provide clearer guidelines to researchers.