Some studies may allow you to continue with your current treatment, while other studies may interfere with other medical treatment you are receiving.  It is important to discuss any medications you may be taking with the study coordinator and determine how participating in the trial may impact your treatment.

In order to understand how well a new treatment works, many studies divide volunteers in to two groups.  One group receives the new study treatment, and another group receives either the standard treatment, or in some cases a placebo.

A placebo appears to be the same as the study treatment, but has no active ingredient.  This helps researchers determine whether the new treatment has any real benefit, and whether it is better than the existing treatments available.

Generally, there will be no way of knowing whether you will receive the new study treatment, a standard existing treatment, or a placebo.  As each study is different, it is important to speak with the study co-coordinators and your doctor to determine how participating in a study might conflict with or complement your current treatment.  There is no reason to put your health at risk.

In some cases, patients who are given a placebo during a study will be given the study medication at the end of the study if it is determined to be effective.  Should you find that your well-being is impacted by participation, you may withdraw from the study at any time.

Many studies do offer remuneration for time and effort.  In making a decision to participate in a study, you should always consider the potential risks as well as benefits to you.  It is important to remember that clinical studies are studies of real medical treatments and your participation makes a valuable contribution to health care.

As each treatment being studied is different, each clinical study has different requirements for participation and offers different benefits to volunteers.  While some studies require only patients with a specific condition or of a certain age or gender, some studies may be looking for healthy volunteers from various backgrounds (such as flu-shot studies, or contraceptive pill studies).  Visit our Current Studies page to find out more about available studies.

Clinical studies test the safety and effectiveness of a study medication. As with all medications, there are risks of adverse reaction to the study medication. Ethically approved clinical trials are carefully designed to minimise the risks and ensure the safety of your child.

It is important to discuss your child’s health history with the study staff when considering joining a clinical trial. It is also important for you to discuss the study with your child. Children usually have lots of questions about clinical studies. Our experienced clinical studies staff are available to answer any questions you or your child might have about the study.

• Your child will be closely monitored by experienced health professionals and researchers throughout the course of the study.
• You and your child will be able to contact researchers to discuss your child’s overall health and well-being and to voice any questions or concerns.
• Your child will be able to continue care with their regular GP or care provider.

Children are often more sensitive to medications than adults. If your child has any known allergies – or has ever had an adverse reaction to medication– it is important to discuss this with the clinical studies staff before your child joins a trial. Only children who meet all the study criteria will be permitted to participate.

If you are participating in a clinical study and have a known allergy, make sure you inform the study staff at the outset.

Some studies do offer remuneration for time and effort, but not all. Your child’s participation is a valuable contribution to the development of children’s health care. It is important to consider aspects of participation such as the number of follow-up visits required, as each study is different. Your child has no obligation to complete a study and may withdraw from a study at any time. However, to ensure your child’s safety and well-being while participating in a study, it is important that you and your child are able to fulfil the study requirements.