Developing a research agenda for nursing and midwifery: a modified Delphi study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing and Midwifery Research
• Healthcare Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Identifying research priorities is crucial for advancing nursing and midwifery practice.
• A large private tertiary hospital in Australia aimed to define its specific research needs.
• Previous research priority setting in this context was not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the key nursing and midwifery research priorities at a major Australian private tertiary hospital.
• To ensure research conducted aligns with organizational strategic goals and clinical needs.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi technique involving two rounds of questionnaires was employed.
• Initial survey distributed to 448 nurses and midwives (19.2% response rate).
• Second round focused on Learning and Organisational Development specialists to rank identified topics.

Main Results:

• 257 topics were identified in Round 1, condensed to 181.
• Topics categorized into clinical audit, evidence base, research, or other.
• 23 research topics were identified, with priorities in learning/development and workforce issues.

Conclusions:

• Identified research priorities align with the hospital's strategic workforce focus.
• The study ensures nursing and midwifery research is relevant and reflects clinical priorities.
• This systematic approach provides a framework for future research endeavors.