When participants understand expectations—and trust that communication will be clear and fair—clinic operations improve. Staff experience fewer misunderstandings, fewer conflicts, and a more consistent study flow across all phases of the research process.

We advocate for:

Fair, consistent rule enforcement that participants can rely on.

Clear communication to prevent confusion and reduce unnecessary frustration.

Greater transparency between volunteers, clinics, and IRBs, ensuring everyone understands the policies that guide decisions.

Sensible, structured resolution processes that address concerns without escalating emotion or tension.

Participant professionalism that reflects positively on research units and enhances the clinic environment as a whole.

A respectful, predictable system helps both sides do their best work. When expectations are clear and upheld evenly, trust strengthens, operations run more smoothly, and the research environment becomes safer and more supportive for staff and participants alike.

HVA promotes a culture of responsibility, integrity, and maturity within the healthy volunteer community. Professionalism is the foundation of a safe and successful research environment, and we work to ensure volunteers understand their role in maintaining it.

We emphasize:

Respectful, calm communication with staff and fellow participants.

Punctuality and reliability, including timely arrival for screening, check-ins, dosing, and all required procedures.

Honest and accurate symptom reporting, which protects participant safety and study integrity.

Full adherence to the Informed Consent Form (ICF) and all clinic policies, regardless of personal preference.

Volunteers are reminded that participation in clinical research is a privilege—not an entitlement. Every individual’s behavior affects the opportunities available to the community as a whole.

We teach that supporting clinic staff, following protocol, and maintaining professional conduct are essential to preserving trust between volunteers and research sites, and ensuring a positive, sustainable environment for everyone involved.

Participants are expected to maintain a respectful, considerate environment for everyone in the unit. Each volunteer has the right to feel safe, comfortable, and free from intimidation.

Respecting fellow participants includes:

No bullying, harassment, or aggressive behavior toward anyone in the unit.

No interfering with another participant’s study participation, lab schedule, dosing, or rest.

Being mindful of noise and shared spaces, including sleeping areas and common rooms.

Respecting personal boundaries — not everyone wants to talk, share personal details, or socialize.

Maintaining a calm, cooperative atmosphere, especially during long confinement periods.

A positive participant community supports smooth clinic operations and helps everyone complete the study successfully.

Respecting confidentiality and maintaining appropriate boundaries protects both volunteers and staff, and is essential to a safe research environment.

Participants are expected to:

Protect the privacy of others by not sharing names, details, or personal information about fellow volunteers or staff.

Refrain from posting photos, videos, or personal content of any participant or staff member without consent.

Avoid discussions about private medical histories, screening outcomes, or sensitive information in shared spaces.

Keep professional boundaries with staff, understanding that staff are required to follow protocols — not personal requests.

Report concerns appropriately (to HVA or staff), rather than involving other participants or escalating publicly.

A foundation of confidentiality and boundaries helps maintain trust throughout the research community.

Our mission is simple: to create a safer, smoother, and more respectful experience for everyone. When clinics and volunteers understand each other’s expectations, the entire research environment becomes stronger—communication improves, conflicts decrease, and the daily flow of operations becomes more predictable for staff and participants alike. A system built on clarity and mutual respect allows research units to focus on what matters most: conducting high-quality studies, protecting participant safety, and advancing medical innovation.

We look forward to partnering with research units that share our commitment to integrity, fairness, and the wellbeing of the volunteer community. Through collaboration, education, and ongoing support, HVA aims to elevate the standard of conduct within the volunteer population while reinforcing the essential work done by clinic staff. Together, we can build a culture where volunteers feel informed and empowered, and where research teams feel supported and respected. Our goal is to strengthen the foundation of research nationwide—one clinic, one study, and one volunteer at a time.

Electronic devices are a major source of disruption, privacy concerns, and protocol violations. All participants must comply fully with the clinic’s device policies.

This includes:

Using phones and devices only at permitted times, and only in approved areas.

Never recording photos, videos, or audio inside the clinic unless explicitly permitted by staff.

Respecting the privacy of other participants and staff — no filming, posting, or sharing clinic content online.

Avoiding loud or disruptive device use, especially in sleeping areas or during lab collections.

Turning devices off or storing them properly when required by the protocol.

Failure to follow device rules can jeopardize study integrity and participant safety, which is why strict compliance is essential.