Improving Access and Recruitment to Clinical Trials for Lung Cancer Patients

Summary

There are \~85,000 lung cancer patients (LCPs) in the UK; yet only around 8% were recruited into clinical trials in 2021/22. LCPs need opportunities to take part in clinical trials to access new treatments, increasing their quality of life, treatment choices and life expectancy. Discussions with nurses can help patients make better treatment decisions, improving experiences of care. However, research has shown that lung cancer nurses (LCNs) often feel unable to discuss participation in trials with patients due to lack of knowledge, confidence, time and training. This study aims to develop and test a research recruitment tool for LCNs, to support LCPs to enter clinical trials. Objectives include to: * Explore reasons for low uptake of LCPs into clinical trials * Develop a tool for LCNs to talk to patients about clinical trials * Test whether the tool improves the number and quality of discussions nurses have with LCPs about clinical trials The study has four phases: Phase 1: A literature review will identify problems that make clinical trial uptake difficult for LCPs, carers and clinicians Phase 2: Six group discussions with LCNs, patients and carers will explore issues that create potential barriers for patients taking part in clinical trials. The groups will take place online, last approximately one hour and be recorded. Phase 3: Part 1\&2 findings will help us develop a LCN research recruitment tool. The tool will contain information on how nurses obtain information about LC clinical trials, research teams, communication issues, practical issues and how to reach LCPs. Phase 4: The research recruitment tool will be tested in four UK NHS hospitals. A survey will identify any changes in nurses' clinical trials awareness and confidence before and after using the tool. Interviews with LCNs, patients and carers will explore their views on the tool, clinical trials participation and experiences of care.

Eligibility

Healthcare staff Phase 2:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Actively involved in the clinical care pathways of lung cancer patients
* Working at one of the six participating NHS trusts
* Age between 18-65 years of age

Exclusion criteria:

* Not actively involved in frontline clinical care
* Not involved in caring for lung cancer patients for at least 30% of their

Patients/carers:

Inclusion criteria:

* Must have a current diagnosis of lung cancer (any stage) or be the named carer of a person with a lung cancer diagnosis
* Under the care of (or caring for) one of the participating NHS Trusts lung cancer teams
* Aged 18 or over

Exclusion criteria:

* Mesothelioma diagnosis or caring for someone with a mesothelioma diagnosis
* Unable to provide informed consent

Phase 4 Healthcare professionals

Inclusion criteria:

* Registered nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Council
* Actively involved in the clinical care pathways of lung cancer patients
* Working at one of the six participating NHS trusts
* Age between 18-65 years of age

Exclusion criteria:

* Not actively involved in frontline clinical care
* Not involved in caring for lung cancer patients for at least 30% of their role
* Employed as a lung cancer research delivery nurse

Patients/carers:

Inclusion criteria:

* Current diagnosis of lung cancer (any stage) or be the named carer of a person with a lung cancer diagnosis
* Aged 18 or over
* Consented to (or carer of someone who has consented to) a clinical trial since start of pilot study
* Receiving care (or carer for someone receiving care) in one of the four NHS sites piloting the research readiness tool

Exclusion criteria:

* Mesothelioma diagnosis or caring for someone with a mesothelioma diagnosis
* Unable to provide informed consent

Conditions2

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