Nursing and midwifery research priorities for an Australian health service: A priority-setting partnership approach

Abstract

Background

Determining research priorities for health services is recommended to better understand health service needs, direct resources, and support translational research. This traditionally involved clinicians, whilst consumer perspectives have been overlooked. Priority-setting partnerships bring together consumers and clinicians to identify research priorities.

Aim

To determine nursing and midwifery research priorities for a metropolitan health service in Australia using a priority-setting partnership approach.

Methods

The mixed-methods, multiphase study was guided by a modified James Lind Alliance priority-setting partnership approach to determine the top-10 priorities. This involved (i) formation of a steering group (consumers, clinicians); (ii) a cross-sectional survey of nurses, midwives, patients, carers, and community members to identify research topics; (iii–iv) summarising and checking of research topics; (v) interim priority-setting; (vi) a consensus workshop for final priority-setting using a modified nominal group technique; and (vii) reporting. Inductive content analysis was used to summarise research topics. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse survey participant characteristics and workshop data.

Results

The survey was completed by 168 participants (n = 106 clinicians, n = 62 consumers) across 5 hospital sites. A list of 17 research topics were summarised from the survey. Topics were discussed and ranked by 18 participants at the workshop and the top-10 priorities agreed by consensus.

Conclusions

Priorities reflected a strong desire for research focus on clinical care, as well as education and systems to support nurses and midwives provide care. Involving clinicians and consumers in research can help identify priorities that are of direct relevance to health service users and staff.