What are the research needs for the field of disaster nursing in the next five years? An international Delphi study

Researchers: Jamie Ranse, Allison Hutton

In the last two decades, the amount of literature pertaining to nurses in disasters has increased. However, whilst research and evaluation of disaster research involving nursing is increasing, it is beneficial to have a mutually agree list of research topics that would be of assistance to the larger nursing population in enhancing the theoretical understanding of disaster nursing.

This research aims to determine international research priorities for disaster nursing, over the next 5 years. 

This research consists of three rounds:
Round 1: This round will be conducted in a workshop with the researchers and nursing participants of the World Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine, May 2013. The aim of this round is to generate themes and statements relating to possible research questions.
Round 2: The themes and statements generated in round 1 will be complied and developed as an online survey tool for ranking.
Round 3: Those themes and statements from round 2 that reached a consensus will be complied and developed as an online survey tool for further ranking.

On the completion of the third round, a list of research priorities will be developed with an international consensus. It is anticipated that these results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at an international conference.