Research Priority Setting for Adult Social Care Nursing
Project context
The University of Salford, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and NHS England, have undertaken a priority setting exercise to identify, prioritise and articulate key areas for research and innovation in Adult Social Care nursing.
We invited participation from front line nurses, people who use adult social care nursing services, researchers, academics and policy makers to support these discussions. The priority setting process supported the rapid identification of key areas of interest or evidence gaps, and found out what research needs to happen to support and develop Adult Social Care nursing in England.
Phase 1:
On the 28th April 2024 we held a listening event with social care nurses, researchers, carers and stakeholders. They let us know what they thought was important for the workforce, people who use services, care and practice, and their ‘blue sky’ ideas.
Phase 2:
On the 19th June 2024 a workshop was held at the RCN headquarters to refine, shape and explore the narratives from phase 1. We asked what were the ‘big questions’ and how could these be formed into grant topics or research questions.
Phase 3:
The outcomes of phase 2 were checked against contemporary literature, research, and evidence to remove duplication and refine ideas. This process helped generate a long list of topics and priorities.
Phase 4:
Frontline social care nurses, and nurses whose roles are directly connected to social care through education or policy, were invited to complete a survey to prioritise and rank the items on this list.
Outcomes:
The identified priorities have been compiled into a report intended for grant makers and research funders to help shape and inform upcoming research and evidence calls. The report can be accessed here.