Consensus recommendations on the role of nurses in headache care: A European e-Delphi study

BACKGROUND: Nurses work at headache centres throughout Europe, and their care for migraine patients is acknowledged. However, the specific roles and tasks of nursing vary, and a unified understanding is lacking, posing challenges to knowledge sharing and research.

OBJECTIVES: Using an e-Delphi study method, the objective is to obtain healthcare professional headache experts' opinions on nursing-specific roles and tasks and combine this into consensus statements for nurse recommendations for migraine treatment.

METHODS: A three-round questionnaire study was conducted with nurses and neurologists from 18 specialised headache centres in 10 countries. In round 1, statements were compiled from a systematic examination of existing literature and expert opinions. In rounds 2 and 3, the experts rated the importance of statements (from round 1) on a 5-point Likert scale. Statements were analysed using a content analysis method, and the consensus of pre-defined statements was evaluated with gradually increased predetermined criteria using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Twenty-one experts, representing all 10 countries, participated. The predetermined consensus of ≥70% agreement was reached for 42 out of the initial 63 statements. These statements formed the final recommendations within two themes: "The nurses' roles and tasks in the clinical setting" and "The nurses' roles and tasks in educating patients and colleagues." The consensus level of statements was strong, with 40% receiving unanimous agreement (100%) and 97% achieving relatively high agreement (>80%).

CONCLUSION: Nursing plays a vital role with diverse tasks in migraine care. This study offers practical recommendations and a framework for nurses, equipping them with a clinical tool to enhance care and promote a coordinated approach to migraine treatment.