When Paul Willis was invited to participate in a medical trial to treat chronic heart failure, the 55-year-old pensioner from Melbourne didn’t hesitate.

“I was pretty crook. There’s no cure for cardio myopathy and my quality of life was really poor. When the chance came to volunteer for a new drug that could help me improve, get me mobile again, I put my hand up,” he said.

While the trial involved more than six visits to Sydney and a two-week stay in a Sydney hospital, Paul found the experience not only improved his overall health but he learnt a lot about his condition.

“The trial was my last shot. I didn’t have a lot to lose. After my first day in hospital I didn’t feel any different. By the end of the second day I felt like a 15-year-old. Not only that but I was receiving great care from some of the top heart doctors in the world.

“My GP, heart specialist in Melbourne, and the team in Sydney were all talking regularly and working to get me better. I really came to appreciate the benefits of medical research and trials. At the back of my mind I was thinking “I hope my kids don’t get this disease…hopefully I am helping not only them but everyone else.”

Sylvia Robinson, a part-time sales representative from Melbourne, has suffered from arthritis for several years and is keen to keep up to date on developments on research in this area.

“I’m interested in alternative and innovative treatments and medicines for the condition. In particular I’m interested in any stem cell research on arthritis.

“For some time now I have been involved in a trial in Vitamin D on arthritis and I have found the whole experience to be excellent.

“There have been no hassles, the follow-up has been great and I am getting regular updates on my general health.”

Other volunteers, such as Chantelle Augello, are motivated to help in clinical trials because she knows first hand how difficult it is for researchers to find volunteers.

“I used to study psychology and realised the challenges researchers face in trying to find people to volunteer. I am what is called a “healthy participant” and get involved in research programs where people who don’t suffer from a particular condition are needed as a sort of control group.”

 So far the 25-year-old Victorian administration assistant has been involved in a sleep study and a study on schizophrenia.

“It is hard for researchers to find participants willing to give up their time to be involved in medical trials. They are always desperate for volunteers.

“Being involved means I’m helping the community and I also get a chance to learn more about my own health. I’m happy to help.”

Fifty-Seven-year-old carer Noel Shields, from Melbourne, volunteered for a medical trial when he was discharged from hospital after treatment for a stroke.

“I was asked if I would like to partake in trialing a drug that if accepted for Australian use, would be for the benefit of stroke sufferers in the future. It was so easy to accept as it was a way for me to give something back to the fantastic hospital staff and the community.

“The best thing was that I was getting more attention for my condition because I was on the trial, than if I had just been discharged under normal circumstances.”

The former warehouse supervisor had his blood pressure checked weekly and regular blood tests analysed as part of the trial.

“They checked everything – from cholesterol to hypertension. I was getting great follow-up care and treatment as a result of going on the trial.”

Many volunteers for medical research trials are seeking answers to their own particular health issues.

The primary motives were:

• the opportunity to be involved in treatments that addressed certain health issues;
• learn more about their condition and their overall health; and
• participate in the development of medical innovation and treatment.

The above interviews were conducted on behalf of www.trialspotting.com.au, an online service that allows people to search for clinical trials and medical research studies that need volunteers.

Manager of trialspotting.com.au, Ms Lucy Williams, said trialspotting provides a central location for volunteers to search for trials that meet their particular needs. “By searching the website volunteers have successfully found trials they are interested in and been able to contact the researcher directly to find out more about the study.

“Not every condition is under research at the moment, but when volunteers register to receive email alerts we can quickly match them with clinical trials as soon as they are listed on the website.”

For more information visit http://www.trialspotting.com.au