Research priorities in Italian diabetes nursing care: findings from a Delphi study.
OBJECTIVE
Defining a set of research priorities for diabetes nursing care in the Italian context.


METHODS
A two-step study design based on a modified Delphi technique was undertaken in 2013.


METHODS
In the first stage of research, five systematic reviews of literature were performed. Among them 865 recommendations in diabetes nursing care emerged, and 217 (25.1%) were categorized at level IV or lower, thus based on a lack of knowledge and therefore a potential research area. Homogeneous recommendations among the 217 emerged and were categorized by two researchers independently: 96 final recommendations were identified and transformed into items embodied into a questionnaire. A Likert scale ranging from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high) was used to collect the consensus regarding priority. For that purpose a sample of 200 nurses was randomly considered. Potential participants were invited to cooperate via email through a letter reporting aims and methods. In the first round 85 nurses participated; in the third and final round, only 13 nurses took part.


RESULTS
Participants have identified 14 research priorities categorized into three main areas: 1) education strategies' effectiveness (n=7); 2) models of care delivery and advanced nursing education effectiveness (n=4); and 3) in specific clinical issues (n=3).


CONCLUSIONS
More research on patient education and on models of care delivery and advanced nursing education should be included in any future Italian agenda.
Corso di laurea in Infermieristica, University of Udine, Italy.
A
A
Palese
Corso di laurea in Infermieristica, University of Udine, Italy.
S
S
Gentilini
Vice-President, the Italian Association of Diabetes Nursing Care, Operatori Sanitari di Diabetologia Italiani (OSDI), Catania, Italy.
G
G
Lo Grasso
Past President, the Italian Association of Diabetes Nursing Care, Operatori Sanitari di Diabetologia Italiani (OSDI), Lecce, Italy.
M T
MT
Branca
President, the Italian Association of Diabetes Nursing Care, Operatori Sanitari di Diabetologia Italiani (OSDI), Udine, Italy.
R
R
Chiandetti
Corso di laurea in Infermieristica, University of Udine, Italy.
I
I
Mansutti
D003697:Delphi Technique; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015399:Nursing Research
Delphi technique; Diabetes; Italy; Nursing; Priority; Research