What was this study about?
The need to involve as many legitimate stakeholders as possible in the identification and prioritisation of research topics is increasingly being recognised. The nominal group technique is a structured approach to generating ideas and reaching consensus in which all group members have an equal voice.
The objectives of this study were:
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to test the feasibility of using a nominal group technique to establish priorities for clinical and health services research in critical (intensive and high dependency) care medicine;
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to test the representativeness of the nominal group's views; and
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to establish priorities for research in critical care medicine in the UK.
What did the study find?
A nominal group technique is feasible and reliable for determining research priorities among clinicians.
This approach is more democratic and transparent than the traditional methods used by research funding bodies.
The results suggest that clinicians perceive research into the best ways of delivering and organising services as a high priority.
Who led the study?
Professor Nick Black, Health Services Research Unit, Department of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
The study was funded by the Research & Development Directorate, West Midlands Regional Health Authority and by ICNARC (self-funding)