The attitudes of oncology physicians and nurses toward phase I, II, and III cancer clinical trials

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the attitudes of oncology physicians and nurses toward phase I, II, and III cancer clinical trials.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 358 oncology physicians and nurses.

Results: The effective response rate was 79.3%. Of the respondents, 67.6%, 95.1%, and 98.6% reported that cancer patients would benefit from phase I, II, and III trials, respectively. Respondents would also recommend that their patients participate in phase I (64.4%), II (88.4%), and III trials (95.1%). When asked to assume the role of cancer patients, the respondents themselves were willing to participate in phase I (48.2%), II (72.9%), and III trials (89.8%). Respondents who admitted having little or no understanding of cancer clinical trials were not willing to recommend participation in phase I clinical trials to their patients (OR 0.187, 95% CI 0.110-0.319, p<0.001). No factor was significantly associated with respondents' willingness to recommend that their patients participate in phase II or III clinical trials.

Conclusion: Most physicians and nurses hold positive attitudes toward clinical trials, especially phases II and III. The number of medical staff who approved of clinical trials was positively associated with the stage of the phase trial.