Clinical Trials Informed Consent: An Educational Intervention to Improve Nurses’ Knowledge and Communications Skills

Background: Teach-back is an evidence-based tool recommended for use during informed consent (IC) discussions. The nurses’ role in the IC process is important, particularly for patient education and advocacy.

Objectives: The aim was to initiate and evaluate an educational program for nurses to improve knowledge and communication skills used in IC for cancer clinical trials.

Methods: An educational program was presented to nurses. Anonymous pre-, post-, and one-month postprogram surveys measured nurses’ knowledge of research and the importance of and confidence using teach-back during IC discussions.

Findings: Nurses had high research knowledge scores and statistically significant improvement in pre- and post-test scores of conviction and confidence using teach-back. Nurses employed essential elements of teach-back before the program but had greater recognition of elements after the program.