Developing a Health Services Research Agenda in Nurse Anesthesia Using a Modified Delphi Method

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Nurse Anesthesia
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Nurse anesthesia research requires a defined agenda to guide scientific inquiry.
• Identifying key priorities ensures research relevance and impact within the field.
• The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) sought to establish a formal research agenda.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formalize a process for determining research priorities in nurse anesthesia.
• To establish the top 3 Health Services Research (HSR) priorities for the 2016 fiscal year.
• To create a new HSR Agenda for nurse anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• Formation of an 8-member ad hoc committee representing AANA stakeholders.
• Utilized a modified Delphi technique involving anonymous web-based surveys and consensus meetings.
• Identified and prioritized 24 high-priority HSR questions related to policy, education, and practice.

Main Results:

• The systematic process resulted in the creation of a new HSR agenda.
• The top 3 HSR research priorities were identified and ranked.
• The agenda reflects the priorities of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

Conclusions:

• The developed HSR agenda is relevant and reflects the priorities of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.
• The agenda was incorporated into the AANA and AANA Foundation Joint Research Program.
• This agenda aims to focus research efforts and funding on critical areas in nurse anesthesia.