Research priorities for Australian critical care nurses: do we need them?

The development of research priorities for critical care nurses has been previously examined from the perspective of both Australian and international critical care nursing experts. A variety of techniques have been used to determine research priorities for critical care nursing, however, a clear articulation of research priorities for Australian critical care nurses, which are both timely and encompass all aspects of critical care nursing practice, is lacking. Research priorities previously determined in Australia and elsewhere identify similar clinical research priorities such as nutritional support, infection control, supporting respiratory and cardiac function, and follow-up of critically ill patients. However, differences between the few available studies exist, possibly because of the changing nature of critical care nursing practice. Despite the identification of research priorities for critical care nursing in the past, there is little evidence to demonstrate a direct effect on research output in these areas. Future development of research priorities for Australian critical care nurses needs to be carefully considered. It is essential that identification of such research priorities be done within the context of their intended use.