title: Development of an international research agenda for adult congenital heart disease nursing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the population of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) is growing, the role of nurse specialists is expanding. In order to advance ACHD nursing, the establishment of an international nursing research agenda is recommended. We aimed to investigate research priorities as perceived by nurse specialists and researchers in ACHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We applied a sequential quan-qual design. In the quantitative phase, a two-round Delphi study was conducted, in which 37 nurse specialists and nurse researchers in ACHD care participated. Respondents assessed the level of priority of 21 research topics using a 9-point rating scale (1 = no priority at all; 9 = very high priority). In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were performed with six selected Delphi panelists, to scrutinize pending research questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study revealed that priority should be given to studies investigating knowledge and education of patients, outcomes of Advanced Practice Nursing, quality of life, transfer and transition, and illness experiences and psychosocial issues in adults with CHD. A low priority was given to post-operative pain, sexual functioning, transplantation in ACHD, and health care costs and utilization. Agreement about the level of priority was obtained for 14 out of 21 research topics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this study, we could develop an international research agenda for ACHD. Researchers ought to focus on these areas of highest priority, in order to expand and strengthen the body of knowledge in ACHD nursing.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: Desiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Canobbio
authors.forename: Jeanine L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moons
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001530:Belgium; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000458:organization & administration*