title: From delegation to specialization: nurses and clinical trial co-ordination.
abstract: This paper considers an area of clinical research that has been delegated by physician-researchers to nurses and others in the United States, that of clinical trials co-ordination. It uses interviews with nurse trial co-ordinators to explore the occupational processes by which the boundaries of work enactment and the definition of work have been established by nurses and others. It then discusses the occupational processes that have been established to formalize a role for nurses in clinical research. It raises the question of (and offers speculation on) whether specialization alone will distinguish nursing from other occupational groups engaged in clinical research work.
authors.affiliation: Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA 92110-2492, USA. mmueller@sandiego.edu
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*; D012962:Sociology, Medical; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires