GIPPSLANDERS will understand more about clinical trials programs at Latrobe Regional Health thanks to a new study being carried out in partnership with Monash University.
Dr Michelle Gooey was recently awarded a Monash Partners Fellowship to help support accessibility to clinical trials in Gippsland.
The fellowship is being sponsored by the state government under the Future Leader Fellows for Clinical Trials program.
Dr Gooey was one of six researchers to be chosen following a competitive selection process.
The project aims to improve access to clinical trials for people living in regional communities by identifying barriers to participation and ways to make research more inclusive.
The partnership brings together researchers and health services to develop and test new approaches to raising awareness of clinical trials and increasing participation, with the aim of improving health outcomes in regional areas.
Dr Gooey will work directly with local Gippsland communities, clinical trial sponsors, health services and researchers.
“Clinical trials offer a great opportunity for both the community and health professionals to get involved in cutting edge science and new medical treatments,” Dr Gooey said.
“But, at the moment there is limited availability in regional areas, or people in regional areas are sometimes not aware of these opportunities.”
LRH launched its clinical trials program in 2019, initially focusing on opportunities in cancer care before expanding into areas including renal services, orthopaedics, stroke care and cardiovascular disease.
In 2026, LRH activated its 60th clinical trial, giving Gippsland patients greater access to emerging treatments closer to home.
“The barriers to accessing clinical trials could be distance, transport or connectivity. We can’t assume that what is done in metropolitan areas will work in regional areas,” Dr Gooey said.
“I’m hoping we can find systems changes and open up opportunities for other regional health services to learn and grow.”
LRH Research and Partnerships General Manager, Jhodie Duncan said the fellowship provides a unique opportunity to listen to the local community to help build on the growing program at LRH.
“Clinical trials are an important part of improving health care, giving patients access to new treatments while helping researchers build the evidence that shapes future care,” Dr Duncan said.
“This research will help us better understand what might prevent people in regional areas from taking part in clinical trials, and how we can make those opportunities easier to access.”
