For patients and families
Grampians Health has been conducting clinical trials for more than 20 years.
Our success is thanks to the volunteers in our community who participate in clinical trials which help support research and improve the health of our community. Clinical trials are a very important part of the healthcare in Australia. Without clinical trials, new treatments and medicines cannot be approved for use.
We have more than 100 active clinical trials covering all phases of research and many different health conditions.
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What is a clinical trial
Clinical trials are medical research studies that aim to find a better way to manage a particular disease. The purpose of a clinical trial is to evaluate new approaches to learn how people respond to them and what side effects might occur as a result.
Clinical trials are considered to be part of best practice medicine and are one of many options for treatment of a disease or illness.
How can I participate in a clinical trial?
Firstly, you need to find out if there are any clinical trials being conducted that you are suitable for:
- You may see advertising around the hospital - current clinical trials may be advertised in the hospital or even in the media. If you see a trial advertised and you are interested in participating, speak to your hospital nurse or doctor.
- You may be contacted by us - if a clinical trial that is suitable for you is available, you may be contacted by our research staff either in person, if you are in the hospital or by letter or telephone if you have previously been treated here.
Search clinical trials
The Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) is an online register of clinical trials being undertaken in Australia and New Zealand.
Australian Cancer Trials website provides information about the latest clinical trials in cancer care, including trials that are currently recruiting new participants.
Australian Clinical Trials is a federal initiative to provide information and resources to consumers, healthcare providers, researchers and industry about clinical trials.
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For First Nations people
What to ask before taking part in a clinical trial
Participating in clinical trials has a number of possible advantages:
- Gaining early access to new medications not otherwise available
- Accessing clinical trial medication at no cost during the trial
- Receiving close monitoring of your health
- Contributing to the development of future life-saving or life-enhancing treatments
Participation in clinical trials is not without its disadvantages:
- You may experience some side effects from the trial treatment or procedures
- The treatment may not work for you
- You may be placed in the control group and therefore not receive the new treatment
- You may need to visit the hospital more frequently and/or stay in hospital longer for monitoring of your condition
- At Grampians Health, no payments are made for participation in studies other than reimbursement for travel and expenses, if applicable.
- All clinical trials are conducted in accordance with the Victorian Health Record’s Act Privacy Principles.
- Your personal and health information is kept confidential and you will not be able to be identified in any medical journals or publications. Your consent to share your information with any other organisation will be obtained before information is released.
- What testing has already been done on the new medication/treatment/device?
- How many people has the new treatment been tested on to date?
- How does participation in the study differ from the standard treatment for my condition?
- Why is the new treatment expected to be better than the standard treatment?
- What will happen if I develop a side effect to the new treatment?
- How might participating in the trial affect my daily life?
- How long will I participate in the trial?
- What will happen after the trial is finished?
- If I benefit from the new treatment will I still be able to receive it after the trial has finished?