Identification of Research Priorities for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Nursing in Europe: a Nurses-European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation Delphi Survey.
BACKGROUND
Robust research evidence should inform clinical practice of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] specialist nurses, but such research is currently very limited. With no current agreement on research priorities for IBD nursing, this survey aimed to establish topics to guide future IBD nursing research across Europe.


METHODS
An online modified Delphi survey with nurse and allied health professional members of the Nurses European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [n = 303] was conducted. In Round One, participants proposed topics for research. In Round Two, research topics were rated on a 1-9 scale and subsequently synthesised to create composite research questions. In Round Three, participants selected their top five research questions, rating these on a 1-5 scale.


RESULTS
Representing 13 European countries, 88, 90 and 58 non-medical professionals, predominantly nurses, responded to Rounds One, Two and Three, respectively. In Round One, 173 potential research topics were suggested. In Rounds Two And Three, responders voted for and prioritised 125 and 44 questions, respectively. Round Three votes were weighted [rank of 1 = score of 5], reflecting rank order. The top five research priorities were: interventions to improve self-management of IBD; interventions for symptoms of frequency, urgency and incontinence; the role of the IBD nurse in improving patient outcomes and quality of life; interventions to improve IBD fatigue; and care pathways to optimise clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The prioritised list of topics gives clear direction for future IBD nursing research. Conducting this research has potential to improve clinical practice and patient-reported outcomes.
Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, London, UK.
Lesley
L
Dibley
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Palle
P
Bager
Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, London, UK.
Wladyslawa
W
Czuber-Dochan
Institute of Technology Tralee, Ireland.
Dawn
D
Farrell
Østfold University College, Halden, Norway.|Østfold Hospital Trust, Fredrikstad, Moss, Sarpsborg and Halden, Norway.
Lars-Petter
LP
Jelsness-Jørgensen
Department of Gastroenterology, Manchester Royal Infirmary/University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Karen
K
Kemp
Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, London, UK.
Christine
C
Norton
D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D019091:Critical Pathways; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005060:Europe; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015399:Nursing Research; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Delphi; IBD nursing; inflammatory bowel disease; research priorities