Follow our participant as she completes a screening visit!
There are two steps to screening:
A pre-screening phone call with our team will determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for a specific trial.
The Screening visit is a detailed evaluation to determine that you are eligible to take part in the trial. This process involves answering additional questions, having a physical exam, and some laboratory tests.
What’s involved in a Pre-Screening call
Our research team checks the information you provided in your registration form against the trial’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. These criteria help determine if you are suitable for the trial, focusing on factors like age, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle.
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- Basic Health Information: On the pre-screen call, you may be asked about your health status, previous medical treatments, or any current medications. This helps to quickly identify any conditions that could disqualify you from the trial.
- Informed Consent Overview: You receive a brief explanation of the trial’s purpose, potential risks, and benefits.
- Next Steps: If you pass the pre-screening call, the research team will invite you to a screening visit.
Pre-screening helps ensure that only qualified candidates move forward, saving time and resources for both you and the research team.
What’s involved in a Screening Visit
To ensure trial integrity and the safety of all participants, a screening process is undertaken before participants are accepted onto a trial. This takes place at one of NZCR’s 4 screening facilities and usually takes between 1-3 hours depending on the trial.
Informed Consent:
Before you take part in a screening, we will send you an informed consent form. This details the trial’s purpose, methods, risks, benefits, and your rights as a participant.
By signing the form, you indicate that you understand the process, and any risks. Don’t worry if you have questions, you can ask them at the screening and then decide if you want to proceed any further.
Medical History Review:
Our team of trained medical professionals will conduct a thorough review of your medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and health conditions. This information will help identify any considerations or risks that might impact your participation in the trial.
Physical Examination:
We will then carry out a physical exam, including your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs. The exam helps assess your overall health and suitability for the clinical trial, and will form the baseline measure against which any further tests taken during the actual trial will be compared to.
Laboratory Tests:
Depending on the trial, you may need to provide blood or urine samples or undertake other lab tests such as liver and kidney function, blood sugar levels or cholesterol. As each trial has different requirements, these tests will need to be carried out even by returning participants. Before your visit you will be informed of what tests you can expect and if you have to prepare for them.
Diagnostic Tests:
Depending on the trial, we may need to carry out additional diagnostic tests like X-rays, ECGs (electrocardiograms), or imaging studies such as MRI. These tests provide detailed information about your health status, and the results will be shared with you, even if you do not go on to participate in the actual trial.
Questionnaires and Interviews:
You may be asked to complete a health questionnaire or take part in interviews about your lifestyle and diet, mental health and exercise habits. This information helps us to confirm your profile matches the trial’s requirements.
Medication and Treatment Assessment:
The research team will review any current medications (both prescribed and over the counter) or any treatments you may be undergoing. This is done to ensure there are no safety concerns or conflicts with the trial’s requirements.
Baseline Measurements:
In some trials, baseline measurements or assessments are taken during the screening process to establish a starting point of your health status before the trial begins.
Eligibility Confirmation:
Following your screening visit, our team will determine whether you meet the trial criteria. If eligible and there’s available space, you will be invited to participate in the trial.
Screening Visit: Location Information
AUCKLAND: Screening HQ location and parking
Location: Our Auckland Screening HQ is at 125 Grafton Road, Grafton, Auckland.
Parking: Carparks #3, #4, #6, #10, and #11 surrounding the building are available for your use. Carparks #10 and #11 are located down the driveway and all display the NZCR logo. Please be aware that other numbered parks are designated for other tenants. On arrival, please inform reception of your number plate. Or catch any bus that stops at “Auckland City Hospital” bus stops.
In case our designated car parks are occupied, there is a pay-and-display car park on Grafton Road. Alternatively, you have the option to park at the Wilson car park at Auckland Hospital.
Please note that NZCR does not reimburse travel or parking expenses for screening visits.
HAMILTON: Screening location and parking
Location: The Hamilton Screening unit is at Unit B/300 Grey Street, Hamilton East.
Parking: There is no on-site parking but there is plenty of street parking, the Cook Street carpark is a couple of minutes away or you can catch the #10 or #17 bus stopping at Bus stop ID: 3181 on Grey Street.
Please note that NZCR does not reimburse travel or parking expenses for screening visits.
WELLINGTON: Screening location and parking
Location: The Wellington Screening unit is at Level 4/108 The Terrace, Wellington Central.
Parking: Car parking is available at the Clifton car park on Rosina Fell Lane or the Wilson Parking at 99 The Terrace. Alternatively, buses #4, 22, and 37 stop on The Terrace at Dalmuir Lane.
Please note that NZCR does not reimburse travel or parking expenses for screening visits.
CHRISTCHURCH: Screening location and parking
Location: The Christchurch Screening unit is located at Level 3, 264 Antigua St, Christchurch.
Parking: There is no on-site parking. There are several Wilsons’ car parks nearby and street parking and buses stopping close by – Metro Bus timetable
Please note that NZCR does not reimburse travel or parking expenses for screening visits.
Screening Visit: Arrival Instructions
When you arrive, please sign in via our electronic registration kiosk in the entrance foyer or reception. The kiosk will print out your name badge.
Let the receptionist know you have arrived. You will be asked for your photo ID (driver’s license or passport) and when sign-in is complete, a member of the team will direct you to the screening unit.
We look forward to welcoming you to our screening facilities. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns. Thank you for being a part of NZCR and advancing global health!
