Consumer learning

Clinical trials are conducted to collect data for new health interventions – things such as drugs, diagnostic tools and devices and therapy protocols.

Consumers can get involved in clinical trials research to contribute to the lives of people affected by cancer.

Information on these web pages will help consumers understand key concepts and processes involved in clinical trials research. It also outlines how you can work with the Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups (CCTGs) and partner with researchers to conduct quality, patient-centred clinical trial research.

Consumers play an important role in clinical trials research. By bringing their lived experience to the research stage, consumers can help develop ideas into research projects, and create patient-focused information for people participating in clinical trials.

This section contains information about:

Cooperative Cancer Trials Groups
Understanding clinical trials
Consumer roles in clinical trials

For information about participating in a clinical trial, visit Australian Cancer Trials.

Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups

Clinical trials help to inform clinical practice and improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients.

Understanding clinical trials

Clinical trials are carefully designed research studies that investigate a new medical test or treatment for people.

Cancer trial design

There are two main study types used in medical research – observational and interventional.

Drug development and cancer clinical trials

Cancer clinical trials are part of a broader drug development pathway, during which new drugs are identified, tested and approved for clinical use.

Consumer roles in clinical trials

Consumers bring their experience as a person affected by cancer and also their skills and learnings from their cancer journey, their careers and their life experience.

Communicating research results

Consumers can be involved in some aspects of communication clinical trial results.

Informed consent

Informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement for any human research.

Participating in meetings

When involved in cancer clinical trials as a consumer, most of the work involves meetings. These could be one-off meetings such as focus groups, or regular meetings as part of a group, committee or board.