Trying Something New After 60: A Friendly Guide to Clinical Trials in Melbourne
By Emma Burrows
Did you know there are more than 2,000 clinical trials running in Melbourne right now, many of them actively seeking people aged 60 and over?
From blood pressure studies and arthritis treatments to memory and sleep research, and even simple survey-based projects you can do from home, Melbourne is one of the most active research hubs in Australia. Yet most people do not realise that everyday volunteers, people just like you, are essential to making these studies possible.
Since joining the TrialScreen team, I have been having more and more conversations about clinical trials. Not only with my parents, who are retired and equal parts curious about what I do & also if they can volunteer. But also with many Australians we have the privilege of supporting through our work.
Understanding Clinical Trials in Melbourne
Today, I want to walk you through what clinical trials actually are, how to explore them confidently, and clear up a few myths. I will also show you a simple way to browse studies online using our TrialScreen trial finder. Think of it as a kind of Google for clinical trials, listing only ethically approved and actively recruiting studies in Australia and beyond.
This is not medical advice. It is simply a friendly guide to help you explore something new.
Why Clinical Trials Matter
Clinical trials are how researchers discover:
- new medications
- better versions of existing treatments
- improved care for chronic conditions
- which lifestyle interventions really make a difference, such as exercise, nutrition, yoga and sleep
- what people experience in daily life through survey only studies
Without volunteers, especially older Australians, these improvements to healthcare simply would not happen.
People take part in clinical trials for many reasons. Some want to contribute to medical research and help others in the future. Others are looking for new ways to manage their own health when current treatments are not working well enough. Many trials also welcome people in generally good health who simply want to volunteer, give back and support new discoveries.
As our CEO and GP, Dr Hugo Stephenson, often says:
“Many people reach a point where standard treatments are no longer enough.
A clinical trial can be an option, and importantly, one you can explore in your own time with full control.”
Learning From Max Shub OAM
At a recent clinical trials conference here in Melbourne, I met Max Shub OAM, a long-term consumer advocate whose story captures what research involvement can mean later in life.
Max was diagnosed with prostate cancer on 14 August 2004, a date he says he will never forget. At first, it felt, in his words, “like falling off a cliff.” Over time he looked for ways to cope that would make his life better and make other people’s lives better too.
He joined a prostate cancer support group, then began helping to run it. One thing led to another and he found himself chairing committees, joining psycho oncology research groups and working with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia at state and national levels. What began as a way to deal with his own diagnosis has grown into many years of community health and research involvement, recognised with an Order of Australia Medal.
Max jokes that he is “addicted to consumer engagement” and says he always gets more out of it than he puts in. He wants others to know that you do not need to arrive as an expert.
“When I first started I knew nothing about research,” he told me. “So I read. I subscribed to everything. My inbox was overflowing. Use me as an example of someone who began knowing nothing.”
For Max, consumer involvement is about showing up, reading the material, asking questions and bringing your lived experience into the room. Sometimes, he says, he talks “a lot of garbage”, but sometimes he says something that changes the direction of a study.
“I tell consumers, you might help shape work that impacts thousands of people. That matters.”
He also wants older Australians to know that uncertainty is normal. The power imbalance between researchers and consumers can feel intimidating at first.
“Researchers are seen as the ones with the knowledge and letters after their names,” he said.
“Consumers can feel they do not belong in that world. The most important thing you can do is encourage consumers to say what they think. Embrace them. Bring them in. Make them part of the team.”
His message to researchers is simple. If you want real consumer involvement, listen. Not politely and then move on, but really listen. That is how we make research that actually improves people’s lives.
What a Clinical Trial Really Is
A clinical trial is essentially a structured health study, designed so that doctors and researchers can answer specific questions in a safe and careful way.
Here are a few things many people do not realise:
- You can ask as many questions as you want.
- You can say no at any time, even after joining.
- Not all trials involve needles or hospital visits, and not all require clinician referrals.
- Many involve surveys, interviews, new hobbies, gentle exercise programs, sleep tracking or wellbeing activities.
- Some trials reimburse you for travel or your time.
- You can also volunteer if you are in generally good health and want to help contribute to new treatments for others.
Most importantly:
You are not “wasting anyone’s time” by enquiring. Researchers genuinely want to talk to you. They are grateful for every person who expresses interest, even if you later decide that a trial is not the right fit.
How to Explore Clinical Trials in Melbourne Using TrialScreen
TrialScreen is a free search engine for clinical trials. It gathers available studies from around the world and translates the technical jargon into clear, simple summaries.
How it works
- Visit trialscreen.org
- Type in a condition, for example osteoarthritis, memory loss, diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome or healthy volunteer.
- Browse the easy to read trial descriptions and check the fit by answering a few questions
- If something looks interesting, click “Register Interest”
- Your details go directly to the study team, we don’t keep them or contact you unless you ask us to.
- The study team will then contact you to explain the study, and you decide whether to continue
There is no commitment and no pressure.
Just information, options and choice.
A Final Word From Me
So why are we telling you all this? Because there is a lot of misinformation out there about what clinical trials involve, who they are for and how hard they are to access. We want to make it easier. At TrialScreen, we are proud of the search engine we have built. Our mission is to connect more people to research, with education and clear information first.
My mum has tested it, and she’s got high expectations, but it gets five stars from her.
You are warmly invited to explore with us.
Come along to our lunchtime webinars in early December, What is a clinical trial? Or Type 1 Diabetes: From Pumps to Possibility.
Or try our search engine to explore Melbourne clinical trials now.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
This article has been published in collaboration with TrialScreen.
This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click on a link and make a booking.
