Implementing an educational resource for patients participating in cancer clinical trials during the pandemic

This research is centred in the specialty of early phase cancer research - the branch of clinical research that focuses on phase one and phase two clinical trials. The aim was to gain an understanding of the complexity of work involved in implementing an educational intervention within the clinical pathway for newly referred early phase cancer clinical trial patients. The May and Finch Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) was used to understand, develop and evaluate the process of embedding an educational resource at referral hospital sites. Elements emerged from the evaluation that provide insights into the complexity of the implementation work that took place. The main elements were: pandemic-related challenges, change management, leadership, shared purpose, teamwork, workforce capacity and patient outcomes. The findings shed light on the barriers to or facilitators of the implementation of the educational resource.