title: Research priorities for nursing and midwifery in Southern Ireland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify research priorities for nursing and midwifery in the Southern Health Board area in Ireland for the immediate and long term.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten focus groups were conducted over a 2-month period with 70 nurses and midwives working in clinical, managerial and educational roles participating. Based on focus group findings and a literature review a multi-item Likert type questionnaire was constructed and administered to 520 nurses and midwives (response rate 95%n=494).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Research priorities were identified as: (1) impact of staff shortages on retention of RNs/RM's (80%); (2) quality of life of chronically ill patients (76%); (3) stress and bullying in the workplace (76%); (4) assessment and management of pain (75%); (5) skill mix and staff burnout (73%); (6) cardio-pulmonary resuscitation decision making (72%); (7) coordination of care between hospital and primary care settings (69%); (8) medication errors (67%); and (9) promoting healthy lifestyles (64%). Respondents also indicated that these priorities warranted immediate attention. Implications for practice include the need for: (1) emphasis on quality pain control; (2) recognition and exploration of the ethical issues relating to resuscitation; and (3) management of the context within which clinical care is given.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, University College, Cork, Ireland. g.mccarthy@ucc.ie
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lehane
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004506:Education, Nursing; D017144:Focus Groups; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008019:Life Style; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009726:Nurses / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000941:ethics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires