Research priorities in vascular nursing

Abstract

This study was initiated by the Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN) Research Committee for the purpose of establishing priorities in vascular nursing research. With a three-round Delphi technique for this study, 176 SVN members were asked the question: What are the most significant problems or questions affecting the welfare of patients with vascular disease that can be solved or answered through nursing research? In round I, experts in vascular nursing (n = 43) identified 182 items that were edited by the investigators into 135 researchable questions and 15 categories. In round II, the expert panel (n = 35) rated each item on a 1 to 7-point scale regarding impact on patient welfare. For round III, panelists (n = 34) were asked to rerate each item, taking into consideration their individual and group mean on each item. Participants who responded to all three rounds were generally experienced advanced practice vascular nurses. The number one research priority identified by this panel was the following: What are the most important barriers to compliance with treatment regimens (diet, cessation of smoking, etc) in the patient with vascular disease? Other top research priorities were concerned with nursing standards, patient education, risk factor modification, pain management, decreasing length of stay, nursing education, stress and anxiety in the preoperative period, and providing care at less expense. The research priorities identified by this study are intended to provide direction for the SVN and its members in their efforts to foster future research in vascular nursing.