RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Investigating the roles and training of paediatric research nurses working across Europe: a questionnaire-based survey
JF BMJ Paediatrics Open
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e000170
DO 10.1136/bmjpo-2017-000170
VO 1
IS 1
A1 Veal, Gareth J
A1 Malik, Salma
A1 Lupo, Mariangela
A1 MacFarlane, Susan
A1 Lepola, Pirkko
A1 Costello, Mary
A1 Ceci, Adriana
A1 Boué, Carine
A1 Lecour, Charlotte
A1 Otto, Annette
A1 Rastegari, Maryam
A1 Berry, Philip
YR 2017
UL http://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/1/1/e000170.abstract
AB Background The key role played by research nurses in coordinating clinical trials in a paediatric setting has developed in line with increasing complexities of trial design. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to investigate the training of research nurses involved in paediatric trials across Europe, to identify potential training needs and compare roles across specialties and countries.Methods A structured, cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used, with the aim of describing and quantifying research nurse experiences. The questionnaire was designed to cover four main areas of interest: demographics, training, clinical trial experience and research nurse roles/activities.Results The questionnaire was completed by 341 respondents across 45 different specialties in 20 European countries. A higher percentage of research nurses within 3 years of taking up post were dissatisfied with the level of training received (16%), as compared with those in post for 3–6 years (8%) and >6 years (6%). There was a trend towards a higher percentage of respondents receiving self-funded training in mainland Europe, with reported values of 15%–20%, as compared with <5% in the UK and Ireland. Only 3% of research nurses prescribed investigational medicinal products in a clinical trial setting, with contrasting roles observed between countries.Conclusions While high levels of training satisfaction were observed, 67% of respondents felt they would benefit from additional training in line with frequently changing practices. Currently, low levels of nurse prescribing are observed in a paediatric clinical trial setting across Europe. Appropriate research nurse training programmes should be promoted through national networks across Europe.