Self-perceived attitudes of Italian oncology nurses towards clinical trial involvement: A cohort observational study.

BACKGROUND

Literature is lacking when it comes to oncology nursing attitudes in clinical trial involvement.

OBJECTIVE

To assess how Italian oncology nurses perceived their attitudes in clinical trials involvement.

METHODS

An on-line cohort observational study was carried out. Data collected included: sex, years of work experience in oncology field and 10 items assessing participants' self-perceptions of their attitudes in clinical trials. Linear regression was used to assess associations between work experience and self-perceived preparedness.

RESULTS

A total of 338 Italian oncology nurses were enrolled. Most nurses declared not receiving any specific training in oncology clinical trials (23.1%). No significant associations were reported between self- perceived attitudes in clinical trial involvement in the oncology setting and both work experience and clinical trial involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer centers are improving cancer nursing research in supplying clinical care. But very few centers are involved in training oncology nurses. This gap seems to be very deep in taking into consideration the oncology nursing research in clinical trials, too.