Research Priorities in Correctional Nursing Practice: Results of a Three-Round Delphi Study

Correctional nursing has been recognized as a specialty since 1985, but research to describe and support nursing practice in the criminal justice system has been sparse. The development of a research agenda can stimulate the research necessary to provide an evidence base for specialty practice development. A three-round Delphi study was undertaken to elicit a prioritized list of research topics to guide future research efforts for meaningful results. Six predominant themes emerged from an analysis of top research questions generated by a panel of 18 correctional nursing experts. Research priorities include critical thinking and clinical judgment, competency and educational level, assessment, nursing protocols, effect on patient outcomes, and the environment of care.