Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.
Clinical trials test whether new medicines or treatments are safe and work well.
We collaborate with local Aboriginal health services, Elders and community organisations to ensure research reflects the priorities, value and needs of Aboriginal people. We hope this approach builds trust, improves access to clinical trials and supports meaningful participation across rural and regional NSW and the ACT.
When mob take part, we learn what treatments work for our people, helping to keep us and our future generations healthy.
Our communities help lead and design this work, to make sure trials are grounded on Country, respect cultural ways of working, and focus on our health needs.
Why clinical trials matter for mob
- Clinical trials can bring better care to our people and give us access to new treatments (if we want them).
- Mob help decide what health conditions should be studied. There are studies that look at better ways to treat heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and cancer. Findings come back to the community and improve local care.
How to get involved
- Doctors, local health teams or Aboriginal health workers might ask us for your input when they are setting up a trial.
- If you have a medical condition you may be invited to take part.
- Have a yarn with a health professional to see if a clinical trial is right for you.
Cultural safety
- People who run clinical trials respect, listen, learn and work with mob to make sure everyone feels safe.
- Family are important and welcome to be part of a person's clinical trial journey.
Your choice and your rights
- You can say yes or no — at anytime. This will not affect your usual care.
- Strong rules are in place to protect your rights and wellbeing.
- You can leave a trial at any time, for any reason. No one can pressure you to take part.
- Your information is private and protected and used only as agreed, with community say in how it is kept and shared.
If you have questions or worries, have a yarn with your Aboriginal Health Worker.
For clinical trial sites, this resource may be used as a reference. If sites intend to use it in conjunction with a clinical trial, it may have to be submitted to the relevant HREC as part of the clinical trial application.