BMJ  2005;331 (10 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7529.0-b

We don't know the effects of paying doctors for trial recruitment

Evidence on the effects of paying doctors for recruiting participants to trials is scarce and inconclusive. In a systematic review (p 1377), Bryant and Powell found only a few studies of inadequate quality. Given the important associated issues such as potential conflict of interest, implications for informed consent and the doctor-patient relationship, and resource implications, the authors argue that robust evidence from well conducted trials is needed before publicly funded research programmes can consider adopting many pharmaceutical companies' practice of paying doctors for recruitment.

Credit: VANESSA KELLAS/REX

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Payment to healthcare professionals for patient recruitment to trials: a systematic review

J Bryant and J Powell
BMJ 2005 331: 1377-1378. [Full Text] [PDF]