Defining priorities in vascular access research

Introduction: There is increasing need for renal replacement therapy associated with the aging population and dramatic increases in diabetes prevalence. Despite an increasing clinical vascular access workload, there are significant unanswered research questions and a paucity of high quality trials to guide clinical practice. To address where future research in vascular access should be directed, we conducted a Priority Setting Partnership involving multiple disciplines, specialties, patients and carers.

Methods: In collaboration with the James Lind Alliance, four rounds of surveys were circulated to identify and score professional and patient priorities in vascular access research. Finally, in a consensus workshop attended by patients and professionals, priorities were discussed and a ranked top 10 list was produced using a nominal group technique.

Results: A total of 1,813 research priorities were submitted within all areas of vascular surgery. Following removal of duplicates, consolidation and categorisation, 15 patient and professional priorities in vascular access research were taken forward to the consensus workshop. The workshop produced a ranked top 10 list of vascular access research priorities relating to: optimising access function, preventing access complications and education of patients and healthcare staff.

Conclusions: These research priorities should help to direct and contextualise future research in vascular access.