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Short and mid-term research priorities for Veterans with multiple sclerosis: A modified Delphi process engaging
Lindsey Wooliscroft1, Aaron Turner2, Francesca Bagnato3
1Department of Neurology, Portland VA Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA; Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence West, Veterans Affairs, USA.
Background/Objective:
Identifying research priorities of Veterans, MS researchers, and key stakeholders is critical to advance high-quality, evidence-based, and Veteran-specific MS care.
Methods:
We used a modified Delphi approach to identify research priorities for Veterans with MS. Electronic surveys were distributed to Veterans with MS (n = 50,975), MS researchers (n = 191), VA healthcare providers (1,337), and funding agency representatives (n = 6) asking about their 2-3 most important research questions that would benefit Veterans with MS for researchers to answer in the next 5-10 years. Next, Delphi panelists, including Veterans, independently completed two rounds of rank ordering the questions in terms of priority. Finally, the Delphi panel met to discuss and finalize the list.
Results:
Sixty researchers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders and 1,322 Veterans completed the initial questionnaire. The final list of the top nine research questions focused on advancing research in several thematic areas: neuroprotection and remyelination, alleviating MS symptoms, epidemiology, and exercise.
Conclusion:
Engaging multiple methods and Veterans at every stage of priority setting enables a representative and nuanced description of the most important VA-centric MS research questions. MS researchers are now prepared to address these targeted questions to serve Veterans with MS and meet their most pressing concerns.
