"Clinical trials are the vital bridge between research and a drug’s eventual availability to patients."
Megan Price, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
In an age of information overload, it can be difficult for patients with cancer
to comprehend their diagnosis and navigate the associated health care
decisions. Even within the health care field, misconceptions and uncertainty
about the role of clinical trials often abound. It is imperative that nurses and
health care providers feel comfortable discussing with patients the part trials
play. Clinical trials are the vital bridge between research and a drug’s eventual availability to patients. The process comes to a halt if there is not enough
accrual for the study to take off, and poor enrollment is the predominant reason that clinical trials fail.1 Nurses can not only help to educate but also spread the word among their peers and patients. The more expeditiously trials can accrue, the faster drugs can get through the process and into the hands of clinics and patients.
Many barriers to clinical trial enrollment exist, including logistical concerns, assumed lack of access, and therapeutic concerns. Investigators in a number of studies evaluating these barriers have noted a lack of education regarding trials to be the most common barrier.2 When nurses have a firm grasp on the basics of clinical trials, including the different phases and how to explain them to patients, the conversation will be normalized. The more secure nurses are with this discussion, the more comfortable their patients will feel about bringing up the topic and keeping an open mind. For instance, it has long been a misconception that clinical trials are reserved for the time when standard- of-care options have failed. In fact, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends clinical trials as the best option for any patient who receives a cancer diagnosis.3
To give a snapshot, the FDA approved 92 novel cancer drugs for 100 indications based on data from 127 clinical trials.4 These are therapies that went through the rigorous process to approval and are now additional treatment options for patients who may currently be receiving treatment in your clinic. But for patients, reinforcing that safety is clinical trials’ primary focus is paramount, and engrained by strict training requirements, detailed reporting systems, and strict protocols for which adherence is non-negotiable.
Many resources are available for additional information on clinical trial options. These include the physicians or advanced practice providers at your practice, oncology-focused conferences, and the clinicaltrials.gov website, to name a few. Empowering our colleagues to stay well informed and feel comfortable talking to patients about clinical trials can have a long-lasting impact on trial enrollment and advancement and, most importantly, on patients’ comfort and understanding. It is time to normalize the conversation for science, the continued growth of nurses, and the overall survival of our patients.
References
Undiagnosed Clinic—Meeting the Needs of Patients With Incidental Findings
July 1st 2024What should a patient do when there is an incidental finding on radiographic films? Is the patient responsible for following up, or is it the responsibility of the provider who ordered the imaging? What if they had the imaging done at an urgent care center or in the emergency department and they do not have a primary care provider?
Recognition of the Advanced Practice Preceptor Role in Oncology
A tiered level preceptor recognition program offers a cost-effective organizational intervention designed to acknowledge and incentivize the contributions of advanced practice preceptors.