Measuring Nurse Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills in Phase 1 Clinical Trials

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Clinical Trials
• Drug Administration

Background:

• Phase 1 clinical trials are critical for introducing new cancer treatments.
• No prior studies have assessed combined nurse knowledge, attitudes, and skills for phase 1 drug administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate oncology nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and skills regarding phase 1 drug administration.
• To assess communication and workflow processes related to safe phase 1 drug administration.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory, cross-sectional survey was conducted at a major cancer center in the southwestern US.
• Participants included acute, ambulatory care nurses administering investigational drugs, and clinical research nurses overseeing trials.

Main Results:

• Nurses demonstrated strong knowledge of phase 1 drug goals but weaker understanding of drug phases.
• Lowest scores were observed in confidence and perceived safety during administration.
• Over half of nurses had administered phase 1 drugs within five years; experience correlated with role understanding and reduced fear.
• Approximately 50% of nurses reported workflow challenges in clinical trials.

Conclusions:

• Oncology nurses require enhanced education and support for safe phase 1 drug administration.
• Addressing identified knowledge gaps and workflow issues can improve patient safety and trial efficiency.