For consumers

What is research?

Research refers to investigations or ‘studies’ that aim to develop new knowledge, understanding or insight that help to inform new and better ways in which we can care for the health of the communities we serve.

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Research helps to provide new information to improve the diagnosis or treatments of disease or illness and is often the only way we can test a new medication, device, treatment or approach to care to see if it is effective.  Clinical research contributes to the advancement of medical knowledge, and the findings from a study can change the way people are cared for across Australia and the world.

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Will I be approached to participate in research at Townsville HHS?

As a patient or a health care consumer of Townsville HHS you may be asked to participate in research.  You might be approached to participate in a research study or clinical trial if you are admitted to a Townsville HHS hospital, visit an outpatient clinic or attend a Townsville HHS community health care service.

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As a potential research participant you can be assured that:

• your rights, safety, dignity, well-being and confidentiality will always be respected
• you will receive full information about the research project, and be given the opportunity to ask questions
• your choice to participate is always voluntary and your choice to participate or not will not affect your care
• you can change your mind and withdraw from a research project at any stage

If you are approached to participate in research, Townsville HHS encourages you to feel comfortable to ask questions and seek further information about participation if you do not understand.  The person approaching you will be able to demonstrate that the research study is approved, and that they are appropriately authorised to approach you to participate.

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Why participate in research?

By participating in research, you will be taking a more active role in your own health care.  You may gain increased insight into your condition or health concerns and may have an opportunity to better understand your management and treatment. In some cases, you may have the opportunity to trial new treatments which are under development, new services and models of care, or participate in research designed to better understand your health care experiences.

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It is also possible that you might not gain any direct or immediate benefit by participating in research, however your participation in research may help others, either now or in the future, by enabling the discovery of more effective models of health care, better treatments, and ultimately better management of health conditions.

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What if I no longer wish to participate?

Participation is not compulsory.  Consent to participate in research is completely voluntary and you are free to withdraw from a research project at any time. If you no longer wish to participate in a research project, you can refuse to continue without it affecting your treatment or ongoing medical care.  You can be sure that you will always continue to receive the best care we are able to offer you.

What are clinical trials?

A clinical trial is a research study where human volunteers receive a new medical intervention in a hospital, research centre or other clinical environment to test if it is safe and effective. 

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.  Clinical trials can involve research into:

• New drugs, medicines or vaccines
• New medical or surgical treatments and procedures
• Medical devices
• Educational interventions
• Health-related preventative strategies such as diets or exercise interventions
• Psychological or behavioural counselling
• New health services or new ways in which services are delivered

Clinical trials of new drugs or interventions are only conducted after extensive safety and effectiveness testing has been undertaken in a non-clinical setting (e.g., a laboratory), and after a Human Research Ethics Committee has approved the trial.

Townsville HHS is committed to finding new and better ways to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage the diseases and health conditions that impact our communities.

We work with colleagues across a vast international network of health services, research institutions and medical drug and device developers on clinical trials that bring the very latest treatment opportunities to the communities of our region.

You can read more information about clinical trials on the Australian Government website.

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What are teletrials?

If you live in a rural or remote area, you may be able to take part in a teletrial.  A teletrial is a type of clinical trial where often smaller and less-established clinical trial providers (Satellite Site/s) utilise telehealth technology (such as audio and video telecommunications) to communicate with, and receive supervision and support from, an experienced lead site (Primary Site).

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If you have a local hospital or health facility that is able to join a clinical trial under the supervision of a Primary Site, you may be able to access some or all of the treatments involved in a clinical trial from your local facility, meaning you have the support of your family and friends close-by while you’re doing the trial, and less travel and accommodation costs.

Read Robyn's story, who after being diagnosed with breast cancer was able to take part in a clinical trial being run in Townsville, from her home in Airlie Beach.

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What is informed consent?

Before agreeing to participate in a clinical trial, it is important for you to know all important facts and details about the trial so you can decide if it is right for you.  For example, you will want to know the study’s purpose, duration, required procedures and appointments, and the key contacts. Potential known risks and the benefits must be clearly explained to you before you agree to participate.  This is called informed consent.

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The information you need is usually given to you in a clear, easy-to-read, Patient Information Statement (or Patient Information and Consent Form) provided by the people conducting the trial.

You will be given the opportunity to ask your doctor or other clinicians involved any questions you may have about the trial.  You should ask about anything that is not clear to you.  Before being enrolled in a clinical trial, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form.

Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary.  Only you can decide what is best for you.  No matter what you decide, you will continue to receive the same high-quality medical care from your healthcare professionals. There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Are there any risks associated with clinical trials?

There may be some risks associated with your participation in a clinical trial.  New drugs, devices or procedures are always tested first in a non-clinical setting and may have been tested on animals to determine how much risk might be involved.  Some side effects may be known, while others might not be known.  Every person may react differently to a medication or procedure.

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You may also have to come off your usual medication to test the effectiveness of a new medication that is being tested and there could be risks associated with that.

All known risks will be described in a document called an ‘informed consent’ form.  Researchers will provide this to you before you decide to take part in a clinical trial and answer any questions you may have about the risks.

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Are there any costs involved?

Clinical trials are generally sponsored by government agencies, universities, medical centres, pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers. There should be no cost to you.

Can you donate to research?

Anybody can contribute financially to the health and wellbeing of the community by making a donation or bequest to support our research. Go to the Brighter Lives website to donate.

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Your donation will support our researchers to continue their important work in improving the health of our communities and the services we deliver.

If you have a particular area of research that you would like your donation to support, please detail this in the Message box on the donation form.  Alternatively, if you simply write “research” in the Message box, we will distribute your donation where we believe it will have the greatest impact.

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Access the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) to search for all clinical trials that are registered for recruitment in Australia through either the ANZCTR or the US-based registry - ClinicalTrials.gov.

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