SP3.1.1Research Priorities in Emergency General Surgery

Abstract Aims Delphi methodology can be used to achieve consensus opinion amongst experts in a particular field. This study used a modified Delphi approach to identify research priorities in emergency general surgery (EGS). The aim was to establish a research agenda using a formal consensus-based approach in an effort to identify questions relevant to EGS that have been prioritised by relevant stakeholders with an equal voice. Methods Three rounds were conducted using an electronic questionnaire and involved health care professionals, research personnel, patients and their relatives. In the first round stakeholders were invited to submit clinical research questions that they felt were priorities for future research. In rounds two and three, participants were asked to score individual questions in order of priority using a 5-point Linkert scale. Between rounds an expert panel were asked to analyse results before forwarding questions to subsequent rounds. Results Ninety-two EGS research questions were proposed in Phase 1. Following the first round of prioritisation, 47 questions progressed to the final phase. A final list of 17 research questions were identified from the final round of prioritisation. These included questions on peri-operative strategies, EGS outcomes in elderly and frail patients as well as non-technical and technical influences on EGS outcomes. Conclusion Our study provides a consensus delivered framework that should determine the research agenda for future EGS projects. It may also assist setting priorities for research funding and multi-centre collaborative strategies within the surgical subspecialty of EGS.

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Consensus exercise identifying priorities for research in the field of general surgery of childhood in the UK

BJS Open ◽

10.1093/bjsopen/zraa062 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Author(s):

N J Hall ◽

C M Rees ◽

H Rhodes ◽

A Williams ◽

M Vipond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Research ◽

General Surgery ◽

Enhanced Recovery ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Surgical Care ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Emergency General Surgery ◽

High Quality ◽

Research Questions ◽

Multicentre Research

Abstract Background The evidence base underlying clinical practice in children’s general surgery is poor and high-quality collaborative clinical research is required to address current treatment uncertainties. The aim of this study was, through a consensus process, to identify research priorities for clinical research in this field amongst surgeons who treat children. Methods Questions were invited in a scoping survey amongst general surgeons and specialist paediatric surgeons. These were refined by the study team and subsequently prioritized in a two-stage modified Delphi process. Results In the scoping survey, a total of 226 questions covering a broad scope of children’s elective and emergency general surgery were submitted by 76 different clinicians. These were refined to 71 research questions for prioritization. A total of 168 clinicians took part in stage one of the prioritization process, and 157 in stage two. A ‘top 10’ list of priority research questions was generated for both elective and emergency general surgery of childhood. These cover a range of conditions and concepts, including inguinal hernia, undescended testis, appendicitis, abdominal trauma and enhanced recovery pathways. Conclusion Through consensus amongst surgeons who treat children, 10 priority research questions for each of the elective and emergency fields have been identified. These should provide a basis for the development of high-quality multicentre research projects to address these questions, and ultimately improve outcomes for children requiring surgical care.

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TP9.1.4Use of a modified Delphi process to develop research priorities in Major Trauma

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab362.102 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽

Author(s):

Luke McElroy ◽

J McGillivray ◽

Michael Wilson

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Major Trauma ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Delphi Process ◽

Future Research ◽

High Quality Research ◽

Trauma Research ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Research Questions

Abstract Aims Delphi methodology can be used to develop consensus opinion amongst a group of stakeholders. This can be used to prioritise clinically relevant, patient centred research questions to guide future funding allocations. The aim of our study was to identify key future research priorities pertaining to the management of major trauma in the UK. Methods A three-phased modified Delphi process was undertaken. Phase 1 involved the submission of research questions by members of the trauma community using an online survey (Phase 1). Phases 2 and 3 involved two consecutive rounds of prioritisation after questions were subdivided into 6 subcategories: Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, Trauma in Older People, Prehospital, Interventional, and Miscellaneous (Phases 2 and 3). Cut-off points were agreed by consensus among the steering subcommittees. This established a final prioritised list of research questions. Results 201 questions across all were submitted by 65 stakeholders in phase 1. After analysis and with consensus achieved, 186 questions were taken forward for prioritisation in phase 2 with 114 included in phase 3. 56 prioritised major trauma research questions across the 6 categories were identified with a clear focus on long-term patient outcomes. Conclusions Consensus from within the major trauma community has identified 56 key research questions across 6 categories. Dissemination of these questions to funding bodies to allow for the development of high-quality research is now required. There is a clear indication for targeted multi-centric multi-disciplinary research in major trauma.

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The first research agenda for the chiropractic profession in Europe

Chiropractic & Manual Therapies ◽

10.1186/2045-709x-22-9 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sidney M Rubinstein ◽

Jenni Bolton ◽

Alexandra L Webb ◽

Jan Hartvigsen

Keyword(s):

Research Agenda ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Academic Research ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Chiropractic Profession ◽

Future Research ◽

Economic Evaluations ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Research Activities ◽

The Uk

Abstract Background Research involving chiropractors is evolving and expanding in Europe while resources are limited. Therefore, we considered it timely to initiate a research agenda for the chiropractic profession in Europe. The aim was to identify and suggest priorities for future research in order to best channel the available resources and facilitate advancement of the profession. Methods In total, 60 academics and clinicians working in a chiropractic setting, and who had attended any of the annual European Chiropractors’ Union/European Academy of Chiropractic (ECU/EAC) Researchers’ Day meetings since their inception in 2008, were invited to participate. Data collection consisted of the following phases: phase 1 identification of themes; phase 2 consensus, which employed a Delphi process and allowed us to distill the list of research priorities; and phase 3 presentation of the results during both the Researchers’ Day and a plenary session of the annual ECU Convention in May 2013. In addition, results were distributed to all ECU member countries. Results The response rate was 42% from phase 1 and 68% from phase 2. In general, participants were middle-aged, male and had been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) as well as chiropractic degree. Approximately equal numbers of participants had obtained their chiropractic degree from the UK/Europe and North America. The majority of participants worked primarily in an academic/research environment and approximately half worked in an independent institution. In total, 58% of the participants were from the UK and Denmark, collectively representing 44% of the chiropractors working in Europe. In total, 70 research priorities were identified, of which 19 reached consensus as priorities for future research. The following three items were thought to be most important: 1) cost-effectiveness/economic evaluations, 2) identification of subgroups likely to respond to treatment, and 3) initiation and promotion of collaborative research activities. Conclusions This is the first formal and systematic attempt to develop a research agenda for the chiropractic profession in Europe. Future discussion and study is necessary to determine whether the themes identified in this survey should be broadly implemented.

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A European Research Agenda for Geriatric Emergency Medicine: a modified Delphi study

European Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1007/s41999-020-00426-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Simon P. Mooijaart ◽

Christian H. Nickel ◽

Simon P. Conroy ◽

Jacinta A. Lucke ◽

Lisa S. van Tol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Medicine ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Online Survey ◽

Future Research ◽

European Research ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Delphi Approach ◽

Research Questions ◽

Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Abstract Purpose Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) focuses on delivering optimal care to (sub)acutely ill older people. This involves a multidisciplinary approach throughout the whole healthcare chain. However, the underpinning evidence base is weak and it is unclear which research questions have the highest priority. The aim of this study was to provide an inventory and prioritisation of research questions among GEM professionals throughout Europe. Methods A two-stage modified Delphi approach was used. In stage 1, an online survey was administered to various professionals working in GEM both in the Emergency Department (ED) and other healthcare settings throughout Europe to make an inventory of potential research questions. In the processing phase, research questions were screened, categorised, and validated by an expert panel. Subsequently, in stage 2, remaining research questions were ranked based on relevance using a second online survey administered to the same target population, to identify the top 10 prioritised research questions. Results In response to the first survey, 145 respondents submitted 233 potential research questions. A total of 61 research questions were included in the second stage, which was completed by 176 respondents. The question with the highest priority was: Is implementation of elements of CGA (comprehensive geriatric assessment), such as screening for frailty and geriatric interventions, effective in improving outcomes for older patients in the ED? Conclusion This study presents a top 10 of high-priority research questions for a European Research Agenda for Geriatric Emergency Medicine. The list of research questions may serve as guidance for researchers, policymakers and funding bodies in prioritising future research projects.

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Research priorities in cardiovascular imaging

Open Heart ◽

10.1136/openhrt-2020-001389 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. e001389 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Guo Liang Yong ◽

Jonathan Weir-McCall ◽

Michael Wilson ◽

Giles H Roditi ◽

Russell Bull ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Imaging ◽

Multimodality Imaging ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

Steering Committee ◽

British Society ◽

Delphi Approach ◽

Imaging Research ◽

Research Questions

AimA modified Delphi approach was used to develop consensus opinion among British Society for Cardiac Imaging/British Society of Cardiac CT (BSCI/BSCCT) members in order to prioritise research questions in cardiovascular imaging.MethodsAll members of the BSCI/BSCCT were invited to submit research questions that they considered to be of the highest clinical and/or academic priority in the field of cardiovascular imaging (phase 1). Subsequently a steering committee removed duplicate questions and combined questions of a similar theme by consensus agreement where appropriate. BSCI/BSCCT members were invited to rank the resulting research questions in two further iterative rounds (phases 2 and 3) to determine a final list of high-priority research questions.ResultsA total of 111 research questions were submitted in phase 1 by 30 BSCI/BSCCT members. While there was a broad range of topics, from determining the optimal features/markers of the vulnerable plaque to investigating how cardiac imaging can best be used to maximise clinical outcomes and economic costs, multimodality imaging-related (n=44, 40%) questions dominated the categories and coronary artery imaging (n=40, 36%) was the most common topic. Over two iterative rounds of prioritisation of these research questions, the original 111 were reduced to 75 questions in round 2, and 25 in round 3. From these 25 a final Top 10 list was distilled by consensus grouping.ConclusionThis study has identified and ranked the top research priorities in cardiovascular imaging, as identified by the BSCI/BSCCT membership. This is a first step towards identifying the cardiovascular imaging research priorities within the UK and may assist researchers and funding bodies alike in setting priorities.

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Developing a conceptual model of influences around integrated reporting, new insights and directions for future research

Meditari Accountancy Research ◽

10.1108/medar-07-2017-0183 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 450-460 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

Charl de Villiers ◽

Pei-Chi Kelly Hsiao ◽

Warren Maroun

Keyword(s):

Conceptual Model ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Future Research ◽

Special Issue ◽

Integrated Reporting ◽

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

Content Type ◽

Prior Literature ◽

Research Questions

Purpose This paper aims to develop a conceptual model for examining the development of integrated reporting, relate the articles in this Meditari Accountancy Research special issue on integrated reporting to the model and identify areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a narrative/discursive style to summarise key findings from the articles in the special issue and develop a normative research agenda. Findings The findings of the prior literature, as well as the articles in this special issue, support the conceptual model developed in this paper. This new conceptual model can be used in multiple ways. Originality/value The special issue draws on some of the latest developments in integrated reporting from multiple jurisdictions. Different theoretical frameworks and methodologies, coupled with primary evidence on integrated reporting, construct a pluralistic assessment of integrated reporting, which can be used as a basis for future research. The new conceptual model developed in this paper can be used as an organising framework; a way of understanding and thinking about the various influences; a way of identifying additional factors to control for in a study; and/or a way of identifying new, interesting and underexplored research questions.

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A consensus building exercise to determine research priorities for silver trauma

BMC Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12873-020-00357-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah Alshibani ◽

Jay Banerjee ◽

Fiona Lecky ◽

Timothy J. Coats ◽

Rebecca Prest ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trauma Care ◽

Research Question ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Trauma Centre ◽

Future Research ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

List Type ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Modified Delphi Technique ◽

Research Questions

Abstract Background Emergency care research into ‘Silver Trauma’, which is simply defined as major trauma consequent upon relatively minor injury mechanisms, is facing many challenges including that at present, there is no clear prioritisation of the issues. This study aimed to determine the top research priorities to guide future research. Methods This consensus-based prioritization exercise used a three-stage modified Delphi technique. The study consisted of an idea generating (divergent) first round, a ranking evaluation in the second round, and a (convergent) consensus meeting in the third round. Results A total of 20 research questions advanced to the final round of this study. After discussing the importance and clinical significance of each research question, five research questions were prioritised by the experts; the top three research priorities were: What are older people’s preferred goals of trauma care? Beyond the Emergency Department (ED), what is the appropriate combined geriatric and trauma care? Do older adults benefit from access to trauma centres? If so, do older trauma patients have equitable access to trauma centre compared to younger adults? Conclusion The results of this study will assist clinicians, researchers, and organisations that are interested in silver trauma in guiding their future efforts and funding toward addressing the identified research priorities.

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Fresh perspectives on customer experience

Journal of Services Marketing ◽

10.1108/jsm-01-2015-0054 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (6/7) ◽

pp. 430-435 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Janet R. McColl-Kennedy ◽

Anders Gustafsson ◽

Elina Jaakkola ◽

Phil Klaus ◽

Zoe Jane Radnor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Agenda ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Customer Experience ◽

Future Research ◽

Dynamic Nature ◽

Content Type ◽

Research Questions ◽

Advance Theory ◽

Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide directions for future research on: broadening the role of customers in customer experience; taking a practice-based approach to customer experience; and recognizing the holistic, dynamic nature of customer experience across all touch points and over time. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is conceptual identifying current gaps in research on customer experience. Findings – The findings include a set of research questions and research agenda for future research on customer experience. Originality/value – This research suggests fresh perspectives for understanding the customer experience which can inspire future research and advance theory and managerial practice.

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Emergency General Surgery—A Misnomer?

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/000313481808400741 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 84 (7) ◽

pp. 1214-1216

Author(s):

Kirby Quinn ◽

Mary E. Davis ◽

Lewin Carter ◽

Cynthia K. Shortell ◽

Courtney Sommer

Keyword(s):

Hospital Admission ◽

General Surgery ◽

Nonoperative Management ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Emergency General Surgery ◽

Surgical Subspecialty ◽

Surgical Emergencies ◽

Academic Medical ◽

Assessment And Treatment

Emergency general surgery (EGS) is defined as the urgent assessment and treatment of non-trauma, general surgical emergencies involving adults. Acute surgical emergencies often represent the most common reason for hospital admission with diagnoses, including bowel obstruction and appendicitis. EGS is a growing surgical subspecialty that includes both operative and nonoperative management of acutely ill patients. We sought to assess the burden of nonoperative care in EGS patients at our academic medical center. This study was conducted by retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients entered into the Duke EGS Registry between July 1, 2016 and September 10, 2017. Fifty-six per cent (n = 771) of patients in the Duke EGS Registry (n = 1377) were managed nonoperatively as compared with 44 per cent (n = 606) who were managed operatively. Nonoperative management of disease represents a large subset of EGS and, therefore, needs further investigation to improve processes, outcomes, and standardization of care.

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