Anyone.
Every year, thousands of people take part in research studies. Some of these studies need volunteers with a particular disease or condition, while others need participants who do not have health issues. All participants are important because without them, the development of new medicines and treatments couldn’t continue.

By participating in a research study, not only are you helping researchers understand how new medication or treatment works, but you are bringing new treatment options to people around the world to improve their health and well-being. You also have the potential to receive innovative treatment under the supervision of your trusted physician at no cost.

We are always looking for volunteers who DON’T have the specific disease or condition we are investigating. Please register your interest so we can contact you for upcoming research studies.

New medications or procedures may have side effects or risks unknown to the doctors involved. The treatment may be ineffective, or not as effective, as other treatments available. The approach in the study may have benefits but there is a chance it may not work for you.

Many of our studies do not involve you taking medication or undergoing treatment but before you are enrolled in a study you will be given detailed information about that particular study and the potential risks inherent in it. You will also have the opportunity to ask the doctor questions before you agree to participate.

All research studies have rules about who can participate, so called inclusion/exclusion criteria. Factors that allow someone to participate in a study are inclusion criteria. Those that disqualify someone from participating are called exclusion criteria. These criteria are based on things such as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria are developed with much thought and consideration. They are necessary to prove whether medicines or treatments work or not in a specific patient population and reduce risk by making sure the right participants enter the study. These criteria are applied to all potential participants equally before they start the study.

Before joining a study, participants are provided with all relevant information and are given the chance to ask questions. The purpose of this is to make sure participants are adequately informed of important details about the study so they can make an informed choice about getting involved.

At the end of a study, the researchers analyse the data that was collected from all participants throughout the study. Findings and data collected about you will be compared to other participants. Doctors and specialists will conduct an analysis and report the findings to scientific meetings and medical journals. Data will also be potentially shared with experts and government agencies responsible for the approval of new drugs and technologies. Not all new treatments get approved for widespread use.

The Woolcock Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding and treating respiratory and sleep disorders. With over 200 research and clinical professionals, we are a world leader in the area of research, clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The Woolcock Institute is located at 431 Glebe Point Road in the suburb of Glebe in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

The Woolcock Institute can be reached on the 431 bus from the Sydney CBD. This service stops directly outside the Woolcock. The 433 and 370 buses also stop a short distance away, as does the light rail (Jubilee Park Stop). Alternatively, 2 hour free parking is available on Glebe Point Road and surrounding streets.

Most research is funded by government grants. However we also take donations through the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research. Click here to find out more about donations.

Some studies will reimburse you for your time and travel expenses. Contact the study coordinator for more information.

We will keep the personal information you have given to us securely in our Volunteer Register. If you have volunteered for a particular project only the researchers assigned to that project will have access to your information. If you have agreed to be available for future projects Woolcock researchers who have been granted permission to use the Register will search according to the criteria for their project to identify suitable volunteers. If you are selected a researcher will contact you directly.

We will not disclose the information on the Volunteer Register to anyone other than Woolcock researchers with an approved project that is being conducted under the supervision of the Woolcock. A copy of our Privacy Policy can be downloaded here.

We may contact you from time to time to ask if you still wish to be on the Register and if you wish to be removed from the Register or if you want to update any of the information we have about you please contact us on 02 9114 0408 or admin@woolcock.org.au