Clinical research priorities in oncology nursing: an Australian perspective

The aims of the research project were to identify areas for research in oncology nursing that have potential for improvement in patient care and to advise about nursing-research policy and priorities that have relevance to areas of patients' needs. Research participants included 10 Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNC) representing 10 area health authorities in New South Wales, Australia. The Delphi method was used to obtain the most reliable consensus of the specialist nurses, and more than 31 high priorities were identified. Quality of life and symptom management emerged as the top two priority categories in the study. The findings of the study provide direction for clinical nursing research in oncology.