Developing a Q Set Using the Modified Delphi Technique to Investigate ICU Nurses' Perspectives on Working with...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research Methodology
• Critical Care Nursing
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses face complex patient care challenges.
• Catastrophic events necessitate deploying non-ICU nurses, increasing complexity.
• Robust methodology is vital for studying ICU nurses' perspectives on this integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the rigorous development of a Q set for a Q methodology study.
• To ensure methodological robustness and validity in exploring ICU nurses' perspectives.
• To examine ICU nurses' views on working with non-ICU nurses during critical care situations.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi approach was used for expert consensus on statement selection.
• Concourse generation involved literature review and semi-structured interviews with ICU nurses.
• Q sample refinement involved two Delphi rounds with ICU experts and a Q methodology expert review.

Main Results:

• 152 statements were initially extracted from literature and interviews.
• Two Delphi rounds with ICU experts resulted in a refined set of statements.
• The final Q sample comprised 40 statements, ensuring an unbiased construction.

Conclusions:

• The study enhanced the rigor, precision, and transparency of Q sample construction in ICU nursing research.
• Expert consensus minimized bias, enabling accurate examination of ICU nurses' perspectives.
• Findings inform staffing policies, training, and collaboration for non-ICU nurse integration in critical care.