Aims: To examine the contribution and value of nurses within clinical research protocol investigator teams and to generate insights that support their inclusion as protocol investigators.
Methods: This descriptive qualitative study comprised three focus groups with multidisciplinary principal investigators, study nurses and/or coordinators. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from two national cancer symptoms and palliative care clinical trials collaborative groups (CCTG). Topics were informed by the Holden (2012) Research Culture and Capacity Framework, and included the integral role of nurses within protocol investigator teams, specific training requirements, current protocol omissions, addressing systemic barriers and facilitators and career implications. Verbatim transcripts were independently coded and analysed using an inductive approach and thematic analysis.
Results: Three focus groups involved N = 9 participants. Thematic analysis identified four themes: 1) Bridging Research and Clinical Practice; 2) Transdisciplinary Collaboration; 3) Clarifying the Investigator Role; and 4) Early Involvement in protocol development. The role of nurses as protocol investigators is dependent on organisational factors and the feasibility of incorporating an investigator role into research roles which strongly influenced ongoing nurse participation in research. Enabling factors that supported nurses’ participation in research included establishing clear feedback pathways, improved communication of research opportunities, and integrating research activities into existing schedules with minimal disruption to clinical responsibilities.
Conclusions: This study highlights the value of nurses’ involvement in protocol investigator teams. Nurses bridge research and bedside care by bringing valuable insights into patient experiences, protocol operationalisation and adherence, and participant recruitment, thereby influencing the overall success of clinical research. The next phase of the project will seek to develop and pilot a structured framework for nurses involvement in investigator teams in partnership with other CCTGs; co-designing role clarity guidelines and career pathways for nurses moving into or working within investigator teams, and further evaluation of trials outcomes.