NURS-16. THE ROLE OF A ‘RESEARCH EXTENDER’ IN A PEDIATRIC NEURO-ONCOLOGY PROGRAM

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The oncology community is struggling to conduct high-quality clinical research trials that match the pace of scientific discovery. Pediatric oncology nurse researchers are investigating a number of important issues facing patients, families, and professionals. They are attempting to do so in the setting of one of the most medically, emotionally, and socially challenging pediatric subspecialties. Clinicians are increasingly bogged down in clinical work and documentation. New findings continue to shift neuro-oncology clinical trials into smaller populations of eligible patients and complex study design. Studies are facing difficulty with timely start-up and completion. These factors can have a negative effect on provider job satisfaction, timely opening and completion of trials, the availability of novel therapeutics for our patients, and the forward motion of the neuro-oncology scientific community. METHODS: In late 2015, our program formalized a research support role to facilitate neuro-oncology research. Different from a research nurse or CRA, who primarily focus on study patient management and data collection, this role is responsible for a broad and versatile range of duties such as scientific writing, study development, and overcoming common start-up and enrollment barriers. RESULTS: Since implementation, the average time for start-up has dropped from 11 to 6 months. We have significantly improved the productivity demonstrated through an increase in academic publications, RFPs and grant submissions, investigator-initiated studies, and the development of new collaborations. CONCLUSION: A wide-lens, embedded, versatile, and non-clinician research role can support physician and nurse investigators in accomplishing key research goals in the pediatric neuro-oncology program.

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