Consensus recommendations on the role of nurses in headache care: A European e-Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Nurses provide essential care in European headache centers for migraine patients.
• Current nursing roles and tasks in migraine management lack a unified understanding.
• This ambiguity hinders knowledge sharing and research in the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and reach consensus on nursing-specific roles and tasks in migraine treatment.
• To develop evidence-based recommendations for nurses in headache centers.
• To utilize an e-Delphi method for expert opinion gathering.

Main Methods:

• A three-round e-Delphi questionnaire study involving nurses and neurologists from 18 centers in 10 countries.
• Statements were generated from literature review and expert input.
• Consensus was achieved using a 5-point Likert scale and content analysis.

Main Results:

• Forty-two consensus statements were agreed upon by 21 international experts.
• Recommendations cover clinical roles, patient education, and colleague training.
• High consensus levels were observed, with 40% unanimous agreement.

Conclusions:

• Nursing is integral to migraine care, with diverse and critical responsibilities.
• The study provides a practical framework and clinical tool for nurses.
• These recommendations aim to standardize care and improve patient outcomes in migraine management.