J Cardiovasc Nurs 2018 Jul/Aug;33(4):E11-E20
Mariann R. Piano, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA Senior Associate Dean for Research and Nancy and Hilliard Travis Chair in Nursing Center for Research, Development and Scholarship, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee. Nancy T. Artinian, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA Professor, Michigan State University College of Nursing, East Lansing. Holli A. DeVon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA Professor and Department Head, Department of Biobehavioral Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago. Susan T. Pressler, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA Professor and Sally Rehard Chair, Center for Enhancing Quality of Life in Chronic Illness, University of Indiana School of Nursing, Indianapolis. Kathleen T. Hickey, EdD, RN, FNP-BC, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAHA Professor of Nursing, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York. Deborah A. Chyun, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA Professor and Dean, University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, Connecticut.
Background: The American Heart Association's (AHA) Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN) plays a critical role in advancing the mission of the AHA in the discovery of new scientific knowledge. The aim was to identify priority research topics that would promote and improve cardiovascular (CV) health, provide direction for the education of future nurse scientists, and serve as a resource and catalyst for federal and organizational funding priorities.
Methods: A Qualtrics survey, which included 3 questions about priorities for CVSN nurse researchers, was sent to the CVSN Leadership Committee and all CVSN Fellows of the AHA (n = 208). Responses to the questions were reviewed for word repetitions, patterns, and concepts and were then organized into thematic areas. The thematic areas were reviewed within small groups at the November (2016) in-person CVSN leadership meeting.
Results: Seventy-three surveys were completed. Five thematic areas were identified and included (1) developing and testing interventions, (2) assessment and monitoring, (3) precision CV nursing care, (4) translational and implementation science, and (5) big data. Topic areas noted were stroke, research methods, prevention of stroke and CV disease, self-management, and care and health disparities.
Conclusion: Five thematic areas and 24 topic areas were identified as priorities for CV nursing research. These findings can provide a guide for CV nurse scientists and for federal and foundational funders to use in developing funding initiatives. We believe additional research and discovery in these thematic areas will help reduce the rising global burden of CV disease.