While some countries accord research clinicians the status of advanced specialist practitioners, there is no universal consensus. Sandra Brinkman-Denney reports on a study to investigate the similarities and differences worldwide

The collaborative role of clinical trials nurses (CTNs) is crucial to the management of research protocols in clinical settings. As part of a literature review of ten articles, comparisons were made of CTN roles in countries across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

The research looked at collaborative competencies relating to issues ranging from protocol assessment and informed consent to the research team and study site management. It found that this aspect of CTNs’ advanced specialty role in clinical trials research meets the requirements of standards of professional nursing practice in the US, but that in some nations CTNs have different scopes of practice, so more research is needed to clarify and standardise the role.