Clinical trial participation can extend and improve a patient’s quality-of-life. Trials provide patients with the opportunity to access new treatments, therapies and technologies. However, regional patients face several barriers to access clinical trials, including time, cost and social disruption.
The teletrials model is a flexible approach to conducting trials, delivering a significant opportunity to overcome the geographical barriers. The model provides a compelling opportunity during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Using the model, clinicians would still be able to manage their patients currently enrolled on a trial while reducing the patients’ need to travel.
The VCCC Teletrial Program has developed functional teletrial standard operating procedures (SOPs) that can be directly applied to any clinical trial unit in Victoria.
The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) developed the Australasian Tele-trial Framework to facilitate the teletrial model, as well as national processes documentation to support implementation.
Working in collaboration with COSA, Victorian clinical trial units, consumers and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, the VCCC has produced an operational model with supporting documents to meet Victorian requirements.
The VCCC teletrial resources are already being used:
“Happened to see these resources earlier today and I am in a better place with this information. Thank you!”
Neuroscience Trials Australia, Project Manager, Soniya Survase
In addition to the standard documentation required for a trial, several new templates have been produced to extend the use of the teletrial model:
An online teletrial training module has been created and is now available. The module will enable learners to:
For information concerning implementation of the VCCC Teletrials Program, contact Program Manager, Hannah Cross, [email protected]
