Research priorities in residential aged care services: A statewide survey.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the research priorities of staff working in Victorian residential aged care services (RACS).

METHOD: In October 2016, all 754 Victorian RACS were asked to list three most important research priorities in a confidential postal survey. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two (21.5%) RACS participated. Research priorities, in order of importance, were grouped thematically as workforce issues, strategies to manage residents with dementia and funding to the sector. Staffing numbers and mix, particularly nurse-to-resident ratios, dominated workforce issues. The management of responsive behaviours was highlighted as a pressing clinical issue, and insufficient funding to the sector impacted on most issues reported.

CONCLUSIONS: The research priorities identified were inter-related. Some were already well researched, suggesting RACS staff have little time and/or limited access to research evidence to inform the care and management of residents, possibly because of inadequate staffing and funding.