Reviews and summaries of research related to AACN 1980 research priorities: contextual topics.

This article reviews and summarizes the research conducted following publication of the 1980s American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' contextual research priorities. Reports of original research conducted on the contextual priority topics between 1981 and 1991 were included. Review articles, doctoral dissertations, theses, and abstracts were excluded unless judged to provide important information on the topic. Following the statement of each priority, progress in the area is summarized. Limitations and measurement issues are discussed as appropriate. Recommendations for future research are provided, and progress in the area is summarized.