Establishing a Pathway to Excellence® Research Agenda: A Delphi Study to Identify Research Priorities for Evaluating...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Positive practice environments are crucial for improving nurse and patient outcomes.
• Research agendas need to be advanced to impact healthcare settings.
• Identifying research priorities informs leaders, researchers, and funders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop research priorities for positive practice environments.
• To identify key areas for future research based on the Pathway to Excellence® program.

Main Methods:

• A Delphi survey was used to rate research topics related to the 6 Pathway standards.
• Leaders and appraisers from Pathway-designated organizations participated in 3 survey rounds.

Main Results:

• Twenty research priorities were identified from an initial 54 topics.
• The top priorities included shared governance participation and nurse involvement in performance improvement and evidence-based practice.

Conclusions:

• A research agenda for the Pathway to Excellence® program will guide impactful research.
• This agenda aims to bolster positive practice environments by engaging and empowering nurses.
• Findings will support nursing leadership, researchers, and funders in prioritizing impactful projects.