CLINICAL RESEARCH INTEGRATES WITH GP AND PHARMACIST WORKFLOWS TO SUPPLEMENT PRACTICE REVENUE Primary health introductions to clinical trials leverages community trust in HCPs
With Charlotte Bradshaw,
CEO and Founder Evrima Technologies
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | January 2025
Clinical trials are crucial to the development of evidence-based preventative medicines. In addition, participation in clinical trials can also provide patients with opportunities to access new treatments.
“Clinical trials are at the heart of medical advances which look into new ways to treat, prevent, or detect disease. Volunteers often do so to help contribute to advancing scientific research, knowing that they are participating in the hope of helping future generations,” said Charlotte Bradshaw, CEO and Founder to Evrima Technologies.
Ms Bradshaw spoke to Australian Health Journal about Evrima’s mission. As an Australian-based digital health company bringing trials to patients, GPs and pharmacists, world-class researchers are able to connect to the wider community through primary health care.
There are hundreds of clinical trials happening around the country and they can take place in hospitals, universities, private clinics and dedicated medical research institutes, yet the trusted role of a GP and pharmacists has opportunity to connect the stakeholder groups.
Research reveals that in Australia, 79% of people would consider being involved in a clinical trial, and 69% would be open to hearing about clinical trials from their GP or Health Care Practitioner. However, barriers such as time constraints, workforce shortages and lack of knowledge about the trials have been identified as barriers to GP referrals.
Each year, clinical trials are conducted to investigate treatment strategies (75%), disease prevention (15%), drugs and medicines (45%), and devices, lifestyles, and behaviours.
In Australia, trials that attract higher participation often centre around cancer and cardiovascular disease. Health conditions such as mental health, neurological and musculoskeletal trials, as well as those dealing with everyday issues including asthma and hypertension, often experience lower rates of participation.
With around 80% of clinical trials being delayed due to recruitment issues, Ms Bradshaw says that new referral platforms such as Evrima’s Evripath can simplify the process for practitioners and patients.
“We understand the daily challenges faced by GPs, but also appreciate that GPs are the gatekeepers to patient participation in clinical trials that are working towards better community outcomes,” said Ms Bradshaw.
Note: Research noted above is cited in the segment
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Primary care remodelled
Tracey Johnson is the CEO of Inala Primary Care, a not-for-profit general practice located in Inala serving approximately 7000 patients; 4400 of whom attend clinic regularly. Inala is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland and has a population of great cultural and linguistic diversity, with just under 40% of residents speaking English at home. It is also one of Queensland’s most socioeconomically marginalised urban areas.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Tracey on the role of Inala Primary care in reducing hospital admissions.
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Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing through training, upskilling & scholarships
The Chief Executive Officer of Australian College of Nursing, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN spoke in depth with Australian Health Journal about:
The key recommendations in ACN’s pre-budget submission to Federal Government
The impact of legislation requiring a Registered Nurse (RN) at every residential aged care facility from 1st July 2023
Why scholarships in nursing leadership are important
Why ACN has recommended the Government fund 200 Pacific nurses in 15 nations for the online ACN postgraduate certification
The need for a multi-pronged approach that includes skilled migration in rebuilding the nursing workforceIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
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Mission to raise awareness of sarcoma and need for clinical trial funding
Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, remains the deadliest cancer for children and young adults, accounting for nearly one third (30%) of cancer-related deaths among those aged 15–24 and one tenth (10%) of those aged 0–14. Further, still severely under-diagnosed, sarcoma only accounts for one sixth (15%) of all cancer diagnoses in the 15 – 24 age group, and less than a tenth (8%) among children under 10.
