Our research
We’re involved in different health research projects including:
- research studies for kidney disease
- clinical trials for new treatments in cancer care
- quality improvement projects including research into new technologies
- audits and evaluations that improve our service delivery.
Our research includes shared projects with medical facilities, university partners and healthcare organisations. We also work with local and international research and community groups.
A Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) reviews and approves any human research we do to make sure it's ethical.
Benefits of research
Research and clinical trials help test new treatments, medicines and ways to improve patient health and health services in our community.
When you take part in research, you're more involved in your health care. Some clinical trials will give you access to new treatments. This helps researchers learn more about your condition and treatments. This might not directly benefit you, but it can help others with your condition in the future.
You might also get paid for the time you spend involved in the research.
How to join a research project
Your GP or other health professional will usually talk to you about a research project. If they think it's right for you, they'll invite you to take part.
Other ways you can take part in research are:
- ask your doctor or health provider if there's any research into your condition
- contact a support group for your condition who might help guide you to research projects you can take part in
- find clinical trials on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry website.
Taking part in research
Your health professional will give you all information you need to decide if you’d like to take part. This will include how long the research project is for and what you have to do.
You don't have to take part in research if you don't want to. If you do take part, you have to give informed consent. This means you understand the risks and benefits of the research before you take part. You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you do, your treatment won’t be affected, and you’ll continue to get the best care we’re able to offer.
You might need to meet some criteria including:
- being a certain age
- having a specific health condition.
You might also need to have had or be getting certain treatments. Each project or clinical trial will have different criteria.
What you need to do
When you take part in research, you might need to:
- make lifestyle changes
- go to meetings and interviews
- give feedback
- take medicines or get treatments.
Research projects can be months or years long. If you take time off from work or study, you’ll get a medical certificate.
Learn more about how clinical trials work on the Australian Clinical Trials website.