Identifying research priorities in nursing and midwifery service delivery and organisation: a scoping study

This paper reports on a scoping study commissioned by the National Co-ordinating Centre Service Delivery and Organisation (NCCSDO) Research and Development (R&D) to identify priorities for nursing and midwifery research funding in England and Wales. The study comprised three strands (i) nationally held focus groups with service user representatives (32, plus six written submissions) (ii) semi-structured telephone interviews with 64 stakeholders (nursing, midwifery, medical, social care and allied health professionals; research commissioners; policy makers; educators; managers; researchers) and (iii) literature analysis. Five priority areas for research were identified—appropriate, timely and effective interventions; individualised services; continuity of care; staff capacity and quality; user involvement and participation—from which exemplar research questions and issues for strategic commissioning are suggested.