Facilitating clinical trials. The expanding role of the nurse

Clinical trials are becoming increasingly difficult to carry out in the face of a changing health care delivery system. The reluctance of third party payers to reimburse for experimental therapy and the growing practice of providers to limit resources allocated for the care of cancer patients undergoing such therapies seriously curtail the ability of investigators to test new cancer treatments clinically. In addition, certain beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions held by the public may interfere with patient case accrual. Nurses can help facilitate both accrual to and conduct of clinical research. This article addresses selected consumer- and provider-centered factors that inhibit clinical research. The expanding role of the nurse in the areas of public education, informed consent, direct care, and collaborative research is also described.