The Nurse as the Coordinator of Clinical Studies on Oncology

Abstract

Introduction: The Brazilian National Cancer Institute is a reference in health care as well as research. In this scenario, staff nurses are able to be clinical study coordinators, being in charge of the operational support of clinical research. Objectives: To map the articles about nurses who are coordinators of clinical studies on oncology; to verify the main assignments of nurses in clinical studies; and to relate these main assignments found in the articles with the activities carried out by the research coordinators at INCA. Method: The systematized and descriptive review was chosen as methodology. The PubMed, SciELO and Capes Periodicals databases were consulted with the following descriptors: clinical trial and oncology nursing; clinical trial and study coordinator; clinical trial and study coordinator and oncology; clinical trial and oncology research nurse. Results: Out of the 846 articles selected, only 49 were relevant to this study. The articles were organized into four analytical categories: research conduction, quality of life, ethics and informed consent. The selected articles revealed a comprehensive concept of the profession, in addition to the grounds of the activities and the need for regulation. Conclusion: The existence of a variety of assignments for the coordinators of clinical studies could be observed; however, despite the importance of these coordinators as members of the team, their respective assignments have not yet been formally described, which calls for more publications about this theme. At INCA, the nurses who are also coordinators of clinical studies carry out coordination activities different from those carried out worldwide.