Clinical Trials
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.
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia have developed a useful guide to clinical trials that covers the benefits of participating in a trial, things to consider when thinking of participating in a trial, information about who can participate in a clinical trial and important information on informed consent. The Consumer guide can be accessed here: Consumer Guide to Clinical Trials
A consumer friendly website australianclinicaltrials.gov.au developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Industry and Science provides general information about clinical trials for consumers, health care providers, researchers and industry. The site also includes all Australian clinical trials listed on the Australian new Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) and ClinicalTrials.gov, the United States based website that lists international clinical trials. You can search the site by condition to see if a trial is recruiting.
