Development of a community care research agenda for Australia.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to develop a Community Care Research Agenda to give direction to research across community-based services for older people, for the next 3-5 years.

METHODS

This study used a four-round Delphi method to verify, rate and rank research questions and issues identified by sector stakeholders. Thirty panellists were selected to represent all key stakeholder groups within community care.

RESULTS

The research agenda comprises the 30 questions/topics, in ranked order, considered by the panellists to be of the highest priority. The largest subgroups of issues pertain to approaches to care (30%), program outcomes and effectiveness (13%), funding (10%), and workforce (10%).

CONCLUSION

Having a National Community Care Research Agenda will provide focus and direction for researchers, service providers and funders in developing and conducting high priority, high value research that can inform improvements in policy and practice in community care for older people.