Research priorities of Korean oncology nurses

Systematic nursing research activities in South Korea began in the 1970s, but research into oncology did not begin until the mid-1980s. Although the number of Korean oncology nursing studies has increased steadily since then, no national agenda exists for future research in oncology nursing. This study involved a descriptive survey of oncology nursing research priorities among Korean oncology nurses. The analysis included 59 members of the Korean Oncology Nursing Society. The questionnaire used by the Oncology Nursing Society in a US survey was revised and translated into Korean. The questionnaire contained 108 items. In addition, respondents were asked to rank 5 items in order of research priority. The Korean Oncology Nursing Society members ranked prevention of cancer and cancer risk reduction as the top research priority, followed by pain management, quality of life, hospice and end-of-life care, and standards of care. These findings provide the basis for developing a Korean oncology nursing research agenda, and for determining the direction of oncology research funding.