Using a modified nominal group technique to elicit director of nursing input for an osteoporosis intervention.
BACKGROUND
Barriers prevent osteoporosis care in nursing homes. Successful interventions designed to circumvent these barriers benefit from target recipient input during development.


OBJECTIVE
To elicit suggestions for an osteoporosis quality improvement intervention designed for use by nursing home health care professionals.


METHODS
Modified nominal group technique.


METHODS
Convenience sample of Alabama nursing home directors.


METHODS
Fifteen Alabama nursing home directors of nursing were recruited by mailing. Sixty percent of respondents participated (n = 9).


METHODS
In the first phase conducted via teleconference, an experienced moderator used a preformulated question and elicited 41 suggestions to improve osteoporosis care in nursing homes. Substantively similar suggestions were combined and idiosyncratic suggestions were discarded resulting in the retention of 20 suggestions. In the second phase conducted by mail, the same participants rated the 20 suggestions based on perceived practicality and helpfulness. Elements were grouped into tertiles based on the ranking of the mean ratings of the 2 attributes and then cross-tabulated.


RESULTS
All director of nursing (n = 9) participants completed both phases. The most practical, most helpful suggestions were information on fall prevention program implementation, osteoporosis treatment protocols, and osteoporosis medication information.


CONCLUSIONS
A modified nominal group technique provided useful information from nursing home directors of nursing for an osteoporosis intervention. The technique proved efficient and facile to perform.
Levine
Deborah A
DA
Deep South Center on Effectiveness Research, An HSR&D REAP, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA. dlevine@uab.edu
Saag
Kenneth G
KG
Casebeer
Linda L
LL
Colon-Emeric
Cathleen
C
Lyles
Kenneth W
KW
Shewchuk
Richard M
RM
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000407:Alabama; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D017144:Focus Groups; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D006126:Group Processes; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013685:Telecommunications; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents