Telephone-based nursing intervention improves the effectiveness of the informed consent process in cancer clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE
Here we report the results of a randomized study undertaken to test the efficacy of a supplementary, telephone-based nursing intervention in increasing patients' awareness and understanding of the clinical trials in which they are asked to participate.


METHODS
During a 12-month period, 180 cancer patients who were approached to participate in a phase II or III clinical trial were randomized to undergo either of the following: (1) standard informed consent procedures based on verbal explanations from the treating physician plus written information (controls); or (2) standard informed consent procedures plus a supplementary, telephone-based contact with an oncology nurse (intervention). For purposes of evaluation, face-to-face interviews were conducted with all patients approximately 1 week after the informed consent process had been completed.


RESULTS
The two groups were comparable with regard to sociodemographic and clinical variables. Both groups had a high level of awareness of the diagnosis and of the nature and objectives of the proposed treatments. The intervention group was significantly (P < .01) better informed about the following: (1) the risks and side effects of treatment; (2) the clinical trial context of the treatment; (3) the objectives of the clinical trial; (4) where relevant, the use of randomization in allocating treatment; (5) the availability of alternative treatments; (6) the voluntary nature of participation; and (7) the right to withdraw from the clinical trial. The intervention did not have any significant effect on patients' anxiety levels or on rates of clinical trial participation. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a supplementary, telephone-based nursing intervention is a feasible and effective means to increase cancer patients' awareness and understanding of the salient issues that surround the clinical trials in which they are asked to participate.
Aaronson
N K
NK
Department of Radiotherapy, The Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Visser-Pol
E
E
Leenhouts
G H
GH
Muller
M J
MJ
van der Schot
A C
AC
van Dam
F S
FS
Keus
R B
RB
Koning
C C
CC
ten Bokkel Huinink
W W
WW
van Dongen
J A
JA
Dubbelman
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015982:Bias; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D018579:Patient Selection; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013689:Telephone