Ethical challenges experienced by clinical research nurses:: A qualitative study

Abstract

Ethical challenges related to the specialized role of clinical research nurses were identified. More research is warranted to fully understand their nature and frequency and to identify support systems for resolution.

Clinical research nurses’ expectations and realities of their role: A qualitative evidence synthesis

“…CRNs viewed themselves as patient advocates and referred to this role as their “ duty of care ” (Kyte et al, , p.6), throughout the patient's research journey and beyond (Kunhunny & Salmon, ; Larkin et al, ; Lawton et al, ; Loh, Butow, Brown, & Boyle, ; Schlichting, ; Tinkler et al, ). They considered patients first with the study taking second place (Höglund et al, ; Kyte et al, ; Larkin et al, ), and some were motivated to make the transition to the CRN role in pursuit of helping make a patient's life or health “ better ” (Rickard et al, , p.170). Even after the trial had finished, if contacted by patients, CRNs were happy to provide support (Schlichting, ).…”

“…Role conflict is an aspect of the CRN role where there was tension between being a nurse and a research nurse and essentially an advocate for “ two patients simultaneously ” (Larkin et al, , p.180). While some CRNs believed that the patient always came first (Kyte et al, ), others considered research data as a central duty of their role (Kyte et al, ; Larkin et al, ).…”

“…Role conflict is an aspect of the CRN role where there was tension between being a nurse and a research nurse and essentially an advocate for “ two patients simultaneously ” (Larkin et al, , p.180). While some CRNs believed that the patient always came first (Kyte et al, ), others considered research data as a central duty of their role (Kyte et al, ; Larkin et al, ). CRNs often had to meet the needs of many (Larkin et al, ; Schlichting, ) and in their attempts to keep patients on a trial strived to keep everyone happy by “ scratching backs ” and doing what they could to encourage participants remaining in the study (Kampelman, , p.71).…”

“…That's my role, making sure things are done right for the patients. You know, the study's important,…but the patients are primary.” (Larkin et al, ; p.179)…”

“…I mean you're moving the state of the science forward and I think that's just really important and I think it's different than when you work on a floor and you're taking care of patients and you're getting them to a point of wellness…I mean the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few and I think in research you're definitely dealing with the needs of the many. (Larkin et al, ; p.180)…”