title: Adapting the nominal group technique for priority setting of evidence-practice gaps in implementation science.
abstract: There are a variety of methods for priority setting in health research but few studies have addressed how to prioritise the gaps that exist between research evidence and clinical practice. This study aimed to build a suite of robust, evidence based techniques and tools for use in implementation science projects. We applied the priority setting methodology in lung cancer care as an example.
  
  
  
  We reviewed existing techniques and tools for priority setting in health research and the criteria used to prioritise items. An expert interdisciplinary consensus group comprised of health service, cancer and nursing researchers iteratively reviewed and adapted the techniques and tools. We tested these on evidence-practice gaps identified for lung cancer. The tools were pilot tested and finalised. A brief process evaluation was conducted.
  
  
  
  We based our priority setting on the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). The adapted tools included a matrix for individuals to privately rate priority gaps; the same matrix was used for group discussion and reaching consensus. An investment exercise was used to validate allocation of priorities across the gaps. We describe the NGT process, criteria and tool adaptations and process evaluation results.
  
  
  
  The modified NGT process, criteria and tools contribute to building a suite of methods that can be applied in prioritising evidence-practice gaps. These methods could be adapted for other health settings within the broader context of implementation science projects.
authors: Sydney Catalyst Translational Cancer Research Cente, The University of Sydney, Level 6, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia. nicole.rankin@ctc.usyd.edu.au.
authors: Nicole M
authors: NM
authors: Rankin
authors: Sydney Catalyst Translational Cancer Research Cente, The University of Sydney, Level 6, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.|Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: McGregor
authors: Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.|Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-based Decision-making, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Phyllis N
authors: PN
authors: Butow
authors: Cancer Nursing Research Unit (CNRU), Sydney Nursing School, Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: White
authors: Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Jane L
authors: JL
authors: Phillips
authors: Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.|RPA Institute of Academic Surgery, Sydney Local Health District, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Jane M
authors: JM
authors: Young
authors: Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Sallie A
authors: SA
authors: Pearson
authors: Sydney Catalyst Translational Cancer Research Cente, The University of Sydney, Level 6, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: York
authors: Sydney Catalyst Translational Cancer Research Cente, The University of Sydney, Level 6, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.|Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Shaw
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D000071836:Professional Practice Gaps; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
keywords: Health priorities; Health services research; Implementation science; Lung neoplasms; Methodology