Developing investigator guidance for pharmacy compensation for research participation: A report from the medication...

Research compensation policies can play an important role in engaging clinicians, including pharmacists, in practice-based research. However, existing practice-based research network (PBRN) guidelines for compensation are often absent, leading to potential challenges in recruitment and retention.

This study aims to explore pharmacist perspectives on appropriate compensation for various research activities and develop guidance for compensation best practices for a pharmacy PBRN.

A sequential, explanatory mixed-methods design was used. In phase 1, an online survey was distributed to all site coordinators within the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet). In phase 2, a purposive sample of survey respondents was invited to participate in semistructured interviews to further explore experiences with research compensation and recommendations for best practices. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative interview transcripts were analyzed thematically.

Survey respondents reported greater willingness to participate as compensation increased, with higher interest in lower effort activities (e.g., surveys) compared to resource intensive ones (e.g., interviews). Time-based compensation models were viewed as an appropriate approach to compensate pharmacists. Thirty seven percent of respondents preferred shared compensation between the individual and the pharmacy, while another 37 percent were unsure whether policies existed at their practice sites. Nonmonetary incentives such as CE credits and professional development reimbursement were less attractive than monetary incentives. Interview results emphasized the absence of formal pharmacy PBRN policies on compensation rates for different research activities. Participants highlighted the importance of transparent communication with leadership teams and advocated for models that recognize both time and the professional value of pharmacists' contributions.

Findings provide a foundation for developing transparent, equitable, and sustainable compensation guidance to enhance pharmacist engagement in PBRN research. Future studies should examine pharmacy PBRN policies and evaluate whether pharmacist engagement improves after adoption of such models.