Using a Delphi Survey to Develop Clinical Nursing Research Priorities Among Nursing Management

Nursing and midwifery research priorities for Kenya: Results from a national Delphi survey

BACKGROUND

The International Council of Nurses and the World Health Organization have prioritized evidence-based nursing and midwifery practice derived from nurse-led research. However, in a low-resource country like Kenya, there is a need to identify research priorities to optimize utilization of limited existing research infrastructure and funding. Kenya lacks a nursing and midwifery research strategy to guide research prioritization.

INTRODUCTION

The goal of this study was to identify and describe nursing and midwifery research priorities for Kenya.

METHODS

A cross-sectional Delphi survey using two iterative rounds of electronic data collection was used to reach a consensus about priorities for nursing and midwifery research in Kenya. NVivo-12 was used to analyze the qualitative data to identify categories, sub-themes, and themes; descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data.

RESULTS

Participants included 159 nurse managers, administrators, and educators representing regional, county, and national referral, private, and faith-based hospitals, nurse training schools, research institutions, and nursing organizations in Kenya. Staffing challenges, motivation, remuneration, and funding for higher education were ranked as the top critically important issues using a cutoff point of ≥ 70% agreement.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for the development of a National Framework for Nursing and Midwifery Research Priorities in Kenya to guide research that builds excellence in meeting nursing and midwifery human resource concerns and ultimately improves patient care practices and outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND NURSING POLICY

The objective of Kenya's health goals delineated within three key national health documents cannot be attained without adequate numbers of nursing and midwifery professionals and policies that address nursing and midwifery staffing challenges, remuneration for employment, and improved funding for higher education.

Attitudes, capacities and perceived barriers in research of nurses of the Canary Health Service

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the attitudes, capacities and perceived barriers associated with research among nurses and midwives of the Canary Health Service (SCS).

METHODS

Descriptive observational cross-sectional study with an analytical component carried out in the different SCS departments by means of an online survey in which sociodemographic and specific variables, the Spanish version of the Attitudes towards Research and Development within Nursing Questionnaire (ATRDNQ-e) instrument and the BARRIERS scale were collected. Authorisation was obtained from the two provincial ethics committees. A descriptive and inferential analysis (Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test, post hoc contrast by Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligne test) was performed with JAMOVI® v.2.3.24 software.

RESULTS

A total of 512 nurses and midwives with a mean age of 41.82 years participated in the study. Regarding the scores with the ATRDNQ-e instrument, the dimension with the lowest score was «Language of research» (mean = 3.55/SD = 0.84) and the highest «Assessment of nursing research and development of the nursing discipline» (mean = 4.54/SD = 0.52). The total mean score with the BARRIERS scale was 54.33 (SD = 16.52), with «Organizational characteristics» being the highest scoring subscale (mean = 17.25/SD = 5.90). The two highest perceived barriers were «Not enough time at work to implement new ideas» (mean = 2.55/SD = 1.11) and «Nursing does not have time to read research» (mean = 2.46/ SD = 1.11).

CONCLUSIONS

SCS nurses have a positive attitude towards research, although there are some barriers where improvement actions for nursing research should be implemented.

Clinical Nurses Research Priorities in Hospital Settings: A Delphi Survey

This study aimed to identify the research priorities of clinical nurses to develop a research program at a health care services system that includes three hospitals. A Delphi survey was emailed to all clinical nurses in two rounds. The Delphi method was used to collect data from the nurses in regards to their priority research themes, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics. A total of 933 clinical nurses returned the first round of the Delphi survey and 543 nurses answered the second round. Clinical nurses identified 89 potential research themes. Patient safety and ethical challenges were the two highest ranked research priorities. The 40 highest ranked priority research themes were closely associated with issues concerning patient care and ethics. However, the nurses also gave high ratings to issues relating to the work environment, questions about technology implementation, and patient involvement in clinical care decisions.

Barriers and Facilitators Perceived by Spanish Experts Concerning Nursing Research: A Delphi Study

The identification of research priorities in line with current health needs and nursing competencies is a priority. Nevertheless, barriers and facilitators perceived by nurses to performing nursing research have scarcely been investigated. The main aim of this study was to explore the situation in nursing research in Spain, as perceived by Spanish experts. A Delphi study technique in two phases was applied using an online survey tool. A panel of 20 nursing experts in nursing, teaching and management positions participated. The strengths highlighted were the possibility of reaching the PhD level, the possibility of receiving continuous training in research methodology, and access to scientific knowledge through the Internet. The weaknesses identified were the lack of Spanish nursing journals in which to publish the research results, the lack of funding in nursing care research, and the lack of connection between the healthcare institutions and the university. According to the experts, elements that could enhance leadership in research are the creation of nursing research units in hospitals, the economic recognition of nurses with PhDs, and considering research work as part of their daily tasks in clinical settings. The idea of being subordinated to physicians still remains in nurses’ ways of thinking.

Evaluation of the joint nurse scientist role across academia and practice

BACKGROUND

Mapped with the guiding principles of academic-practice partnerships (APPs) outlined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, a joint nurse scientist role between a nursing school and acute care facility at a large academic health center was developed and characterized by a PhD-prepared nurse appointed in a research role across organizations. To date, eight faculty are now appointed across the School and four health systems.

PURPOSE

Describe outcomes, facilitators and vulnerabilities of the joint nurse scientist role.

METHODS

Review of administrative records.

DISCUSSION

Outcomes include the 1) conduct and dissemination of joint research, 2) translation of evidence into practice, 3) development of educational programs for health system nurses, 4) scholarly activities among health system nurses, and 5) improved visibility and valuation of the PhD-prepared nurse. Role facilitators include those previously reported for APPs, the joint nurse scientists' ability to broker opportunities across settings, and the evolving nature of the role. Role vulnerabilities pertain to the negotiation of workload, promotion, and institutional priorities.

CONCLUSION

The joint nurse scientist role fosters shared scholarly successes across academia and service.