Understanding Willingness to Participate in Cancer Clinical Trials Among Patients and Caregivers Attending a Minority-Serving Academic Cancer Center

The status quo and influencing factors of clinical research nurses' participation in preoperative blood sampling in patients with pulmonary nodules

Background

Under-recruitment in clinical trials has become a worldwide problem, and has many causes that need to be understood. Clinical Research Nurses (CRNs) provide a new research perspective.

Aim

To understand the current situation about the informed consent rate after the participation of CRNs and analyse the possible influencing factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital. A convenience sample was used to study patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent day surgery from March to May 2023. Patients first received information from doctors and a second session by CRNs was provided for those who initially were hesitant about the research. A questionnaire survey was conducted using an online survey platform to collect information.

Results

After education by doctors, 208 patients were hesitant and CRNs conducted a second education session, the CICARE model was used for communication. Following this session a further 161 patients were willing to participate. Finally, 374 patients were willing to participate. Related factors include age, education level and the attitude of self-assessed family members towards their participation in clinical projects.

Conclusions

CRNs' participation can improve patients' willingness to participate. It is crucial to pay attention to the role of CRNs and propose a new model of CRNs involvement in clinical research based on identifying factors.