PARTNER network brings clinical trials to regional patients
The PARTNER network is a University of Melbourne-led initiative that aims to provide regional patients with access to clinical trials through a telehealth-based model.
Access to clinical trials has been linked with enhanced health outcomes and quality of life and can help patients be more involved in their health care.
However, clinical trials have long been inaccessible to Australians in regional areas, given they are often centred on hospital-based care. This has been detrimental to regional patients, who are more likely to face poor health outcomes when compared to those living in cities.
2,800 patients will be recruited for the first trial in the program, which will examine a new biomarker test to identify patients who require screening for liver cancer.