A Delphi study to determine nursing research priorities in the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and the corresponding evidence base

The aims of the study are to identify and prioritize research questions of importance to nurses in North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and to investigate and describe the existing evidence base for the highest priority questions identified. The consensus method known as the Delphi technique was used. Systematic searching of the literature for each question identified from the research priorities enabled the existing evidence base to be characterized. The following priorities were identified as the most important (in descending order of importance): Recruitment and Retention of Nursing Staff; Staff Stress & Morale; Training & Education of Nursing Staff; Infection Control; and Pain Management. The Delphi technique proved a useful method to determine and prioritize research areas in nursing.