Blazing Trails With Research: Paving the Way for Advanced Practice Providers

Introduction: In September 2021, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) expanded the ability for advanced practice providers (APP) to practice more autonomously by being able to write orders for research-related anti-cancer therapy. Objectives: The goal was to align with NCI guidance to permit APPs to independently write non-Cycle 1 Day 1 study agent orders. Methods: An academic institution created a process to comply with the NCI's memorandum. Health-system policy was updated to reflect this new capability. A tracking system was established to monitor NCI's Registration and Credentialing Roster (RCR) expiration dates. An audit process was created to verify alignment between signed electronic research-related anti-cancer therapy orders and Delegation of Tasks Logs. Results: To date, no adverse comments about APPs' abilities to sign anti-cancer trial orders have been received from organizations that accredit or support clinical trials. In addition, no APPs have lost the ability to sign anti-cancer therapy orders because they failed to renew their RCR within the expiration period. To facilitate this capability in a timely manner, a research-specific onboarding experience was created. Conclusion: APPs may safely write anti-cancer treatment orders for patients enrolled in clinical trials. Additionally, such privilege may contribute to the enhanced participation of APPs through research.