Nurses' attitudes toward clinical trials at a comprehensive cancer center.
OBJECTIVE
To identify nurses' attitudes and beliefs toward cancer clinical trials and their perceptions about factors influencing patients' participation in these trials.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.


METHODS
417 nurses employed at the cancer center were surveyed; 250 (60%) subjects responded.


METHODS
59-item questionnaire.


METHODS
Nurses' attitudes toward clinical trials and perceptions of patient understanding of and influences on participation in clinical trials.


RESULTS
96% of nurses reported that participation in clinical trials is important to improving standards of care; only 56% believed that patients should be encouraged to participate in trials if they had cancer. In multiple regression analyses, older age and being a research nurse were significant predictors of positive attitudes toward clinical trials. Work setting also was a significant predictor of nurses' perceptions of patients' understanding of treatment. Overall, nurses reported that an investigational therapy should have at least a 50% chance of success prior to being offered to patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses generally reported that clinical trials are important to improve standards of care; however, attitudes concerning patient participation in clinical trials and perceptions of patient understanding differed by work setting. Nurses have high expectations regarding the benefits of investigational therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses play a critical role in the care of participants in cancer clinical trials. Targeted interventions that involve nurses to enhance appropriate patient accrual, patient understanding, and patient decision making should result in improved patient care in centers conducting clinical trials.
Burnett
C B
CB
School of Nursing, Georgetown University and Lombardi Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Koczwara
B
B
Pixley
L
L
Blumenson
L E
LE
Hwang
Y T
YT
Meropol
N J
NJ
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009518:New York; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012044:Regression Analysis