Modified Delphi Study on Nursing Practice and Science in Fetal Care

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Fetal Medicine
• Healthcare Delivery

Background:

• Fetal care involves complex diagnosis and treatment for expectant mothers and newborns.
• Nursing roles in fetal care require specialized knowledge and coordination.
• Defining essential elements of fetal nursing practice is critical for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify essential structures, processes, and outcomes in fetal nursing practice.
• To determine challenges faced by nurses in fetal care.
• To establish research priorities for nurses in fetal care.

Main Methods:

• Modified Delphi method utilizing online questionnaires over three rounds.
• Content analysis of open-ended questions to generate statements.
• Consensus defined as 75% of panelists ranking statements ≥6 on a 7-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• Consensus achieved on 96 statements covering structure, processes, outcomes, and research priorities.
• Expert fetal care nursing teams are essential for comprehensive patient and family support.
• Identified key nursing processes including care coordination and direct clinical care.

Conclusions:

• An expert fetal care nursing team is necessary for optimal patient and family support during diagnosis and treatment.
• Nurses should lead in program development, research, quality improvement, and professional development.
• Recommendations emphasize the need for leadership support and professional engagement for fetal care nurses.