Research Report 2011

Abstract

The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) at the University of Sydney runs large multicentre investigator-initiated clinical trials, takes part in trials of national and international collaborative trial groups and contributes expertise to trials run by others. It also: • takes a lead in proposing new directions for trial research in Australia, particularly with regard to integrating clinical trials with national policy and clinical practice • leads, coordinates and participates in national and international research collaborations • undertakes methodological research in relation to clinical trials and biostatistics • reviews and synthesises evidence from completed trials, and is at the forefront of developments in methods, such as prospective meta-analysis • advises on trial design and operation, and randomises patients and analyses data for other groups conducting trials • offers postgraduate supervision in all of these areas • offers a postgraduate program in clinical trials research by distance education • runs short courses in the design and conduct of clinical trials as part of its undertaking to train people for Australian medical research. Core funding is provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC),and specific projects are funded by government, public and private institutions and the pharmaceutical industry. The CTC is at two sites in Camperdown in inner Sydney — the Medical Foundation Building on Parramatta Road and on Mallett Street. This report covers the CTC’s achievements for 2011.