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Lessons Learned From a Practice‐Based, Multisite Intervention Study With Nurse Participants
Author(s) -
Friese Christopher R.,
MendelsohnVictor Kari,
Ginex Pamela,
McMahon Carol M.,
Fauer Alex J.,
McCullagh Marjorie C.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 1527-6546
DOI - 10.1111/jnu.12279
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , nursing , medicine , relevance (law) , medical education , surgery , political science , law
Purpose To identify challenges and solutions to the efficient conduct of a multisite, practice‐based randomized controlled trial to improve nurses’ adherence to personal protective equipment use in ambulatory oncology settings. Design The Drug Exposure Feedback and Education for Nurses’ Safety (DEFENS) study is a clustered, randomized, controlled trial. Participating sites are randomized to Web‐based feedback on hazardous drug exposures in the sites plus tailored messages to address barriers versus a control intervention of a Web‐based continuing education video. Approach The study principal investigator, the study coordinator, and two site leaders identified challenges to study implementation and potential solutions, plus potential methods to prevent logistical challenges in future studies. Findings Noteworthy challenges included variation in human subjects’ protection policies, grants and contracts budgeting, infrastructure for nursing‐led research, and information technology variation. Successful strategies included scheduled Web conferences, site‐based study champions, site visits by the principal investigator, and centrally based document preparation. Strategies to improve efficiency in future studies include early and continued engagement with contract personnel in sites, and proposed changes to the common rule concerning human subjects. The DEFENS study successfully recruited 393 nurses across 12 sites. To date, 369 have completed surveys and 174 nurses have viewed educational materials. Conclusions Multisite studies of nursing personnel are rare and challenging to the existing infrastructure. These barriers can be overcome with strong engagement and planning. Clinical Relevance Leadership engagement, onsite staff support, and continuous communication can facilitate successful recruitment to a workplace‐based randomized, controlled behavioral trial.