The role of the nurse participation in clinical trials: a review of the literature

Abstract

This study addresses the role of the nurses of the Hospital do Câncer III (HC III) of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), in clinical trial protocols. If a clinical trial is to be properly conducted, it is necessary that the multidisciplinary staff involved be capable and aware of the purpose of the study, of how it will be developed, and of the role and scope of each professional engaged in it. A review of the literature was therefore conducted for the purpose of finding out the different and the scope of action for nurses in clinical trial protocols, both national and international journals on roles Nursing and Oncology Nursing, all from the last decade, were selected. In the international literature, the role of nurses and their scope of action in clinical trials are well established, whereas in Brazil, it is not. For such role to be fostered there should be continuing education, graduate courses on the subject, as well as articles published in Nursing and Oncology journals.