For Consumers

What is research

The Townsville HHS is proud of the care we provide to our community and we are committed to continually improving health outcomes for our community through cutting-edge research. Research forms a vital part of our vision to be a leader in health care; it helps us to gain knowledge, understanding and insight for the benefit of the community. Some potential benefits of research can include improving the diagnosis or treatment of diseases or ill-health through testing new medications, devices, treatments or approaches to care to see if they are effective.

Patient involvement in healthcare research can range from something as simple as an interview, questionnaire or giving researchers permission to look at your medical history, to providing biological samples such as blood or urine, or testing a new medicine or medical treatment (this is called a clinical trial).

Visit the National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC) website for more information on clinical trials including:

• What is a clinical trial?
  • Phases of clinical trials
  • How clinical trials work
  • Who can be part of a clinical trial?
  • What happens when a trial is complete?
• Why be part of a clinical trial?
  • Potential benefits and potential risks
  • Clinical trials and children
• How to be part of a clinical trial
  • Informed consent
  • Questions to ask
  • Leaving a trial
• What to do if you have a concern about a clinical trial
• Real Stories from clinical trial participants

You may also want to read the Consumer Guide to Clinical Trials which also explains:

• What is a clinical trial?
• What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?
• What should you consider when thinking of participating in a clinical trial?
• Who can participate in a clinical trial?
• Informed consent

Will I be asked to participate in research?

Research is a core component of our work. As a patient, relative and/or a health care consumer you may be asked to participate in research when you use our services. Participation in research is completely voluntary and should you decline to take part your current or future care at Townsville HHS will be in no way compromised. You may be asked to be involved by one of your treating clinicians, another staff member, a research student or directly by a researcher.

We encourage those considering being involved in our research to ask questions and seek further information about participation; it is important that you understand what is involved in taking part in the research. The person approaching you will be able to demonstrate the research study is approved, and they are appropriately authorised to invite you to participate.

How do I know if the research is ethical?

All research being conducted at, or with, the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) must be reviewed and approved by a review body called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). An HREC is a group of people appointed to review research proposals to assess formally if the research is ethical. This means the research must adhere to recognised ethical standards, which includes respecting the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of the people who take part (the participants).

All studies are then reviewed by the HHS Research Governance Officer to ensure the study complies with all the relevant legislation and guidelines, before being authorised to commence by the Townsville HHS Chief Executive.

What are clinical trials and why do we need them?

Most modern medical treatments are a result of clinical research. New treatments for all diseases and conditions including cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and asthma have been developed through clinical research. Clinical trials can lead to new treatments that help people to live longer, and to have less pain or disability.

Clinical trials help healthcare professionals to understand:

• Does a treatment work?
• Does it work better than other treatments?
• Does it have any side effects?

Clinical trials also allow testing and monitoring of the effect of a treatment on a large number of people to ensure that any improvement as a result of the treatment occurs for many people and is not just a random effect for one person.

Visit the National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC) website for more information on clinical trials including:

• What is a clinical trial?
  • Phases of clinical trials
  • How clinical trials work
  • Who can be part of a clinical trial?
  • What happens when a trial is complete?
• Why be part of a clinical trial?
  • Potential benefits and potential risks
  • Clinical trials and children
• How to be part of a clinical trial
  • Informed consent
  • Questions to ask
  • Leaving a trial
• What to do if you have a concern about a clinical trial
• Real Stories from clinical trial participants

You may also want to read the Consumer Guide to Clinical Trials which also explains:

• What is a clinical trial?
• What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?
• What should you consider when thinking of participating in a clinical trial?
• Who can participate in a clinical trial?
• Informed consent

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service authorises more than 100 new studies every year. This research stretches across nursing, midwifery, allied health and medicine, and involves all patient groups.

If you would like to read an overview about the research being conducted at Townsville Hospital and Health Service please read our annual research reports:

• 2015-16 Townsville Hospital and Health Service Annual Research Report
• 2017 Townsville Hospital and Health Service Annual Research Report
• 2018 Townsville Hospital and Health Service Annual Research Report

How can I find a clinical trial and stay informed?

There are several avenues you can use to find clinical trials that you may be eligible to participate in.

• In the first instance, talk to your healthcare care team. Your healthcare team can help you find trials you may be eligible for. In addition, if you find a possible trial from another source your healthcare professional is always worth consulting to get a better understanding if the trial would be suitable for you.
• If you have a particular disease or condition get in touch with a patient advocacy group. Many of them have tailored services that can help you with your search.
• Queensland Health maintains a research registry database, the Database of Research Activity, where you can search for all studies being conducted at Queensland Health facilities.
• The National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC) has a tool for searching clinical trials being conducted in Australia and also supports the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ; an online registry of clinical trials being undertaken in Australia and New Zealand

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service take concerns and complaints about a research project very seriously. There are several people you can contact if you have any concerns about a research study. You do not have to be a participant in the study to voice your concerns.

Research Integrity Advisors

• The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) have several Research Integrity Advisors whose role is to provide advice to a staff member, member of the community or a research participant regarding concerns about a research study. If you would like to speak to a Research Integrity Advisor please either email the Townsville Research Education, Support and Administration Unit or phone 4433 2459

Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)

• If the study has been reviewed and approved by the Townsville HHS HREC you may also contact the HREC directly with your concerns by emailing the committee or phoning 4433 2459

Research Governance Officer

• If the study has been reviewed and approved by a HREC other than Townsville HHS HREC you can contact the Townsville HHS Research Governance Officer with your concerns by emailing them or phoning 4433 2459.

You can also discuss any concerns you have with your treating doctor, nurse, midwife or allied health professional.

Cutting-edge research does have a cost. Many drugs and treatments in use today have been developed through generous donations to research.

If you would like to donate to research at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service please email the research support unit.

A Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is a group of people appointed to review research proposals to decide if the research is ethical. This means the research must conform to recognised ethical standards, which includes respecting the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of the people who take part (the participants).

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service HREC is looking for voluntary community members who want to help their community.

Who are the committee members?

Membership of the committee is made up of health professionals, local researchers and academics, legal experts, pastoral care givers and members of the local community (lay members). No specific experience is required to be a lay member of the committee.

To be a lay member of the HREC you must have no affiliation with Townsville HHS and not currently engage in any medical, scientific, legal or academic work. This helps to ensure that lay members are a general representation of the community.

What does a committee member do?

The role of committee members is to read research proposals and comment on the ethical merit and integrity of the proposed research. The committee as a group makes the decision the acceptability of a research proposal.

What is the time commitment?

Committee members are required to attend 5-6 meetings a year, on the first Thursday of every second month except for January at either 4.30pm or 5.30 pm (times alternate each month). Meetings take approximately 2-3 hours. Members are also asked to participate in a rotating roster, where low-risk applications are reviewed by email. Generally, members are rostered for no more than two months a year to review low-risk applications.

What training is provided?

New members are provided full induction training in national guidelines and HREC processes. Mentoring is provided for up to 6 months, with ongoing comprehensive support.
Regular ongoing training and professional development is offered to all members.

How do I join the HREC?

If you are interested in joining the HREC but need more information please phone the HREC Coordinator Sara Potts on 4433 1440.

If you wish to join the HREC please supply a brief written Expression of Interest outlining your interest and/or experience (maximum 1– 2 pages) and a current resume to {"ct":"oJLRszCPa9u\/zm\/aG4pVDuz8MBb8C\/AQFZmGIQGrdP8GHucc52SCFsp7uU15KYeT","iv":"51be95e2d8ba8fba5c1de04ce95b3bd7","s":"9f620976ca8d363a"}.