What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are research investigations in which people volunteer to test new treatmentsinterventions or tests as a means to preventdetecttreat or manage various diseases or medical conditions. Some investigations look at how people respond to a new intervention* and what side effects might occur. This helps to determine if a new intervention worksif it is safeand if it is better than the interventions that are already available.

Clinical trials might also compare existing interventionstest new ways to use or combine existing interventions or observe how people respond to other factors that might affect their health (such as dietary changes). ^[1]

 

The importance of research study and how you can help improve health care

Research plays an important role in discovering new treatmentsand making sure that existing treatments and services are being used in the best possible ways. Research can find answers to things that are unknownfilling gaps in knowledge and changing the way that healthcare professionals work.

 

Why do people take part in research studies?

People agree to take part in research studies for a range of reasons.  Some people want to learn about ways they could possibly improve their own personal healthand others participate to help further knowledge of scientific research and medical care.

The Consumer Health Forum has created a consumer-friendly information guide about clinical trialsand is available to download online at Consumer Health Forum.

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Current Research Studies

The following clinical trials and research studies are currently recruiting participants. Contact the researchers directly if you would like to be involved.

Australian Research Websites

• Australia & New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trails Network 
• Australian Clinical Trials
• Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry
• Consumer Community Involvement Program
• ClinTrial Refer
• Linear Clinical Research

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Promote your Research Study

Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA welcomes the opportunity to support research that contributes to better understanding and management of musculoskeletal conditions. To be considered for promotion through our owned networksyour study must meet the following criteria:

Eligibility Requirements

• Institutional Affiliation: The research must be conducted by or in collaboration with a reputable university or research institution.
• Ethics Approval: You must provide formal ethics approval documents from a recognised ethics committee.
• Academic Level: The study must be at PhD level or aboveor led by a researcher with equivalent academic standing.

Submission Requirements

Please email the following to [email protected]:

• Ethics approval documents
• A brief summary of your research project
• Start and end date of recruitment
• Any posters or social media tiles
• High-resolution images that are either copyright-free or copyright-licensed/purchased

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^[1] Source: National Health and Medical Research Council