1991 Oncology Nursing Society Research Priorities Survey

Documenting current research priorities is an ongoing process that is important to furthering the research agenda of oncology nursing. The purpose of this study was to update and partially replicate previous Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) research priorities surveys. Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of 429 ONS members involved in research or in ONS leadership. The response rate was 70% (N = 310). Respondents identified a combination of clinical problems, research issues, and cancer care economic factors among their top 10 research priorities. Quality of life and symptom management consistently were ranked as the highest priority items across all three methods used to rank-order the items. Respondents also provided suggestions for future ONS/Oncology Nursing Foundation small grants and for expansion of current ONS research activities. These findings provide direction for the focus of oncology nursing research by suggesting topics for research, by identifying areas that require additional research funding, by recommending new research activities for ONS, and by promoting research as the basis for oncology nursing practice.