Exploring nurses' experiences of caring for patients participating in cancer clinical trials

Abstract

Drawing on the experiences of cancer research nurses (CRNs) from the Cancer Research UK Excellence in Research Programme, this article aims to provide an insight into managing cancer patients' expectations of participating in clinical trials. It also outlines what CRNs consider are the key elements when supporting patients through side-effect management. Through group work and discussions, CRNs' reflective experiences were captured by workshop facilitators around three topics by exploring nurses' experiences of caring for patients participating in cancer clinical trials. Reflective CRN experiences for each of the three topics were reviewed and themes were developed by the author, who also facilitated this workshop. Developing relationships, patient education and effective communication were all identified as important factors when helping to manage patient expectations and aid side-effect management. The findings, based on CRN experiences, give an understanding of aspects of the role that nurses have within cancer clinical trials, what patient expectations of clinical trial are and strategies on how best to support patients within this area of nursing.