Uganda nursing research agenda: a Delphi study L.A. Spies 1 RN, NP-C, PhD, J. Gray 2 RN, PhD, J. Opollo 3 RN, MSN, PhD, MPH & S. Mbalinda 4 RN 1 Assistant Professor, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University, 3 Director, Professional Practice and Nursing Research, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, 2 Associate Dean, College of Nursing, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA, 4 Lecturer, Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda SPIES L.A., GRAY J., OPOLLO J. & MBALINDA S. (2015) Uganda nursing research agenda: a Delphi study. International Nursing Review 62, 180–186 Aim: Use a Delphi Methodology to identify nursing research priorities in Uganda. Background: Identifying nursing research priorities, empowering researchers, and encouraging relevant studies can advance attaining global health goals. The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union identified the need to establish a nursing research agenda. Nurse leaders have a priority of increasing the influence of nurses in practice and policy. This study was conducted as a preliminary step in a long-term strategy to build nurses’ capacity in nursing research. Methods: A three-round Delphi study was conducted. The 45 study participants were nurses in practice, nurse faculty and members of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union. In the initial round, the participants wrote their responses during face-to-face meetings and the follow-up rounds were completed via email. Results: Maternal and child morbidity and HIV/AIDS were identified as research priorities. Nurses also identified nursing practice, education and policy as key areas that nursing research could impact. Limitations: Demographic characteristics such as length of time in nursing were not collected. Additionally, first round participants completed a pencil-paper survey and the follow-up rounds were done by email. Conclusions: Nurse Leaders in Uganda identified areas where research efforts could have the most impact and were most relevant to nursing practice. Implications for nursing and health policy: Health policy decisions have historically been made without nursing input. Nursing research can provide evidence to inform policy and, ultimately, improve population health. The focus of nursing research in priority areas can be used to guide nursing contribution in policy discussions. Keywords: Delphi Technique < Research, Health Policy Research < Research, International Collaboration/Cooperation < International Issues, Nursing Leadership < Nursing, Research in Practice < Research Correspondence address: Dr Lori A. Spies, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University, 3700 Worth Street, Dallas, TX 75246, USA; Tel: 001-469-964-8355; Fax: 214-818-8692; E-mail: lori_spies@baylor.edu. Funding sources The Global Health Research Initiative, a collaborative research funding partnership of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian International Development Agency, the International Development Research Centre, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada; and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Canadian Health Services Research Foundation. Conflict of interest None. Nursing Research © 2015 International Council of Nurses 180