Nurs-19. Implementing a Nursing Led Working Group Within the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (Pnoc), a Two-Year Experience and Evaluation

Abstract BACKGROUND Incorporation of nurses and advanced practice providers (APPs) creates an opportunity to enhance the work of clinical trial consortia in providing care to children and young adults with central nervous system tumors enrolled on clinical trials. Within PNOC, a formalized APP and nursing working group (“APPNIC”) was established in 2021. Since inception, APPNIC has assigned members to each clinical trial committee, developed support documents to partner with protocols, highlighted supportive care measures, and provided nursing education across all PNOC sites. METHODS A de-identified, electronic Qualtrics survey was distributed to PNOC members in Fall 2023 to evaluate the 2-year impact of APPNIC. Physicians, nurses or APPs, and CRCs were eligible to participate. RESULTS Thirty-six surveys were completed in total from physicians or principal investigators (n=15; PIs), nurses/APPS (n=18), and clinical research coordinators (n=3; CRCs) representing multiple institutions. PI satisfaction with APPNIC was high with all reporting APPNIC to be “somewhat helpful” (40%) or “very helpful” (60%) and most PIs (53%) working directly with APPNIC members. Nurses confirmed they use the protocol roadmaps (87%) and education sheets (80%) generated by APPNIC. Barriers to APPNIC participation continue to indicate scarce resources allowing time for APPs and nurses to participate in hybrid meetings and limited travel funds to attend meetings and conferences. Identified education needs of APPs and nurses include identifying supportive care for novel treatments, understanding developmental therapy strategies, and receiving routine study updates. CONCLUSIONS With high overall satisfaction of PIs and utilization of study deliverables by consortium site members, we plan to continue APPNIC as currently structured. Ongoing efforts to integrate APPNIC members early in protocol development will increase PI and APPNIC member collaboration. Education for APPs and nursing will continue to be a priority, along with investigating mechanisms to increase funding to attend meetings and conferences.