Participating in a clinical trial is a big commitment. It’s a decision that often requires patients to rearrange their work schedules, find transportation, fast before appointments, or spend hours away from home, all while navigating unknowns common to treatment and research.
It’s not easy. Nor should it be taken for granted.
That’s why more clinical trial sponsors, CROs, and research sites are reconsidering how trials are delivered, not just from regulatory or scientific perspectives, but from a human one. A growing number are looking to the hospitality sector for inspiration. What if, instead of feeling like a series of medical check-ins, a clinical trial felt more like a thoughtfully planned stay?
Good hotels provide more than a room: they anticipate your needs before you even arrive. They greet you by name. They make the experience as seamless and stress-free as possible because they know that feeling cared for will keep guests coming back.
That’s exactly the mindset patient-centric trials need now more than ever.
Designing trials with that same attention to comfort, care, and consistency supports better patient retention. It also shows participants their time and effort are genuinely valued.
The hospitality experience starts long before check-in, and too so should the trial experience. In the days leading up to a participant’s first visit, communication should be proactive, kind, and thorough. That means walking through expectations, preparing them for what they’ll encounter, and offering opportunities to ask questions.
It’s the difference between arriving with anxiety or arriving with confidence.
Research sites that treat this touchpoint with care lay a foundation for trust, and that trust keeps patients engaged when later visits may become more involved or demanding.
When participants arrive on-site, they should immediately feel like they’re in good hands. That means being welcomed warmly — by name, if possible — and guided clearly through the visit.
The physical space matters, too. Small details can change the feel of an entire experience. A five-star environment includes comfortable, private waiting areas where amenities like snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi are available.
When a patient walks into a space that feels less like a clinic and more like a lounge or hotel lobby, it helps them relax. They feel like they belong there and that the experience isn’t just about collecting data, but about care.
Just as high-end hotels offer concierge services to help you get from the airport, find a restaurant, or schedule a tour, clinical trial sites can reduce friction through logistics built around real life.
Participants appreciate when transportation services can be arranged and are reliable. The same can be said for flexible appointment options and meals provided for long visits or fasting days.
These are ways to remove barriers. They say, we see what you’re managing, and we’re here to help.
The hallmark of five-star hospitality is that guests are treated as individuals, not numbers. The same should apply for clinical trials. Participants should be recognized when they return. Their preferences should be remembered. Any questions should be answered and/or followed up on.
This could mean checking in after a difficult visit, or offering a private space to rest during a long blood draw series. It could mean asking how they’re feeling and truly listening.
These simple moments of connection create a sense of loyalty. Participants aren’t just showing up because they have to: they show up because they trust the team, feel respected, and believe in what they’re part of.
We recently had one of our patients, Faith Simmons, tell us that her first study visit felt like a vacation. She felt welcomed and cared for, and that her time was being honored and respected. That one experience led her to participate in multiple trials afterward at Remington-Davis.
Faith’s story is part of a bigger narrative at RDI. When we meet participants where they are and treat them like guests, we see stronger retention, cleaner data, and better results for everyone involved.
When patients say yes to a clinical trial, they’re taking a leap of faith. The more we do to meet that leap with care, empathy, and thoughtful design, the more likely they are to stay with us and to help bring new therapies to life.
If you’re looking for a clinical research site partner that understands the value of experience — not just for patients, but for your trial’s success — let’s talk.