Wayne Varndell1, Margaret Fry2, Matthew Lutze3, Doug Elliott4. 1. Prince of Wales Hospital Emergency Department, Randwick 2031, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Wayne.Varndell@health.nsw.gov.au. 2. Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, NSW, Australia; Director Research and Practice Development Nursing and Midwifery Directorate NSLHD, Level 7 Kolling Building, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards 2065, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Margaret.Fry@uts.edu.au. 3. Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, NSW, Australia; Nursing Practice and Informatics, NSW Ministry of Health, St Leonards 2065, NSW, Australia; School of Nursing, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Matthew.Lutze@health.nsw.gov.au. 4. Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Doug.Elliott@uts.edu.au.
Abstract
AIM: To examine the application and methodological quality of the Delphi method used in developing guidance for emergency nursing practice. BACKGROUND: Emergency nursing scope of practice has rapidly expanded in response to increasing patient acuity, complexity and technological innovation. Determining best practice is crucial for delivering high quality, safe and effective emergency nursing care. The Delphi method has been used to identify, prioritise complex issues and develop evidence-driven guidance in emergency nursing practice. The use and quality of the Delphi method in emergency nursing practice has not been examined. DESIGN: Systematic literature review. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT: A systematic literature search was conducted using the following databases: SCOPUS, EMBASE, Medline and ProQuest from date of inception to August 2019. The database search was limited to scholarly articles or peer-reviewed journals. No language restrictions were applied. The Cochrane Collaboration method and PRISMA checks were utilized to conduct the review. RESULTS: Of 246 records identified 22 (8.9%) studies met the inclusion criteria. A modified Delphi method was commonly used (n = 15; 68.2%) and often conducted online (n = 11; 50.0%). Eight practice guidance themes were identified. Overall study quality was high (score 12/14; range 4-13), transparency of reporting varied. CONCLUSION: Based on this review, the Delphi method is an appropriate method for exploring emergency nursing practice. The studies reviewed demonstrated that knowledge, skills and clinical expertise has progressively expanded in the specialty of emergency nursing. Variation in the application, conduct and transparency of reporting in Delphi studies developing guidance for emergency nursing practice is discussed.
AIM: To examine the application and methodological quality of the Delphi method used in developing guidance for emergency nursing practice. BACKGROUND: Emergency nursing scope of practice has rapidly expanded in response to increasing patient acuity, complexity and technological innovation. Determining best practice is crucial for delivering high quality, safe and effective emergency nursing care. The Delphi method has been used to identify, prioritise complex issues and develop evidence-driven guidance in emergency nursing practice. The use and quality of the Delphi method in emergency nursing practice has not been examined. DESIGN: Systematic literature review. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT: A systematic literature search was conducted using the following databases: SCOPUS, EMBASE, Medline and ProQuest from date of inception to August 2019. The database search was limited to scholarly articles or peer-reviewed journals. No language restrictions were applied. The Cochrane Collaboration method and PRISMA checks were utilized to conduct the review. RESULTS: Of 246 records identified 22 (8.9%) studies met the inclusion criteria. A modified Delphi method was commonly used (n = 15; 68.2%) and often conducted online (n = 11; 50.0%). Eight practice guidance themes were identified. Overall study quality was high (score 12/14; range 4-13), transparency of reporting varied. CONCLUSION: Based on this review, the Delphi method is an appropriate method for exploring emergency nursing practice. The studies reviewed demonstrated that knowledge, skills and clinical expertise has progressively expanded in the specialty of emergency nursing. Variation in the application, conduct and transparency of reporting in Delphi studies developing guidance for emergency nursing practice is discussed.