Clinical trials
Research into many aspects of prevention and clinical treatment is ongoing. This includes clinical trials of drugs and medical devices such as prostheses.
If relevant, your GP or specialist should be able to give you information about trials that may relate to you or your condition. Many support organisations and websites also offer information about current trials. Although clinical trials may offer access to treatments and drugs that are not otherwise available, these trials are just that - trials. Proven therapies, especially those with good response rates, are often preferable to those whose effectiveness is not yet established.
You should always discuss any possible risks or benefits with your doctor(s). This is usually a requirement for clinical trials prior to participation.
If you agree to participate in a clinical trial, please be aware that:
- Your participation may help identify whether there are safe and effective new therapies and drugs.
- The treatment you experience may or may not help you and may have its own undesirable side effects.
- Most trials include participation of a 'control' group that does not receive the experimental treatment. This includes 50% of all participants. This is to test whether or not the experimental treatment offers benefits. In a randomised trial you will not know whether you are part of the 'control' group or not. There is no guarantee that you will actually receive the experimental treatment and experience any benefit from it.
- Involvement in a clinical trial should never replace your doctor's suggested treatment as agreed by yourself, your family and your doctor.
- The costs of participating in clinical trials and experimental drugs are paid by the sponsor of the trial and are not covered by private health insurance or by the patient.
Visit the Australian Clinical Trials Registry to learn more.